RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00964
		INDEX CODE 131.01
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 1999B (CY99B) (PO599B) Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board, which convened on 30 November 1999.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

All of his assignments involved highly sensitive and classified programs.  As a result, his supervisors were unable to effectively communicate the levels of his responsibilities, the particulars of his duties, his accomplishments and the impact on the Air Force and the Department of Defense (DoD).  Hence, the promotion board did not have access to the “meat” that exhibited his potential for promotion and leadership abilities at the rank of lieutenant colonel.  In many situations, he was handpicked to perform duties that involved greater leadership skills and decision-making abilities at higher than current ranks.  The results were of national significance that directly impacted the operational forces, but these could not be discussed in his Officer Performance Reports (OPRs).

The applicant submitted no supporting documentation.  However, he states that a package consisting of a classified narrative of his OPRs, further explanation of the awards and decorations, and letters from his supervisors explaining the exact circumstances and impact of the bullets are on file at SAF/AAZ.  

The application is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Information extracted from the Personnel Data System (PDS) indicates that the applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of major, having been promoted to that grade on 1 March 1996.  His Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 7 February 1984.  He has a projected date of separation (DOS) of 29 February 2004.  

Applicant's OPR profile for the 10 reporting periods prior to the 30 November 1999 Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board follows:

	Period Ending	Evaluation	Organization

	15 Dec 91		Meets Standards (MS)	CLASSIFIED
	15 Dec 92		     MS	CLASSIFIED
	15 Dec 93		     MS	CLASSIFIED
	15 Dec 94		     MS	CLASSIFIED
	 1 Jul 95		     MS	CLASSIFIED
	 1 Jul 96		     MS	CLASSIFIED
	 2 Jan 97		     MS	CLASSIFIED
	19 Jan 98		     MS	Dir of Test & Eval
	19 Jan 99		     MS	Dir of Test & Eval
#	16 Apr 99		Training Report	Dir of Test & Eval
				Defense Systems
				Management College
				Advanced Program
				Management Course

  # Top report in file when considered and not selected for promotion by the CY99B Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board, which convened on 30 November 1999. 

The applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY00A (28 November 2000) Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO reviewed this application and stated that AFI 36-2501, Officer Promotions and Selective Continuation, Chapter 6, lists the conditions for granting SSB consideration:  Administrative error, legal and material error, and pursuant to a formal appeal.  The applicant has not substantiated his contentions in compliance with Air Force policies and guidelines.  Each officer eligible for promotion consideration is advised of the right to communicate with the board president.  The applicant elected not to write a letter to the CY99B board president concerning the classified nature of his duty assignments.  AFPC/DPPPO noted that the Office of the Inspector General (DoD) stated, “The overall allegation that Air Force officers working on special access and highly classified programs were at a disadvantage during the promotion process because their performance reports could not include classified information was not substantiated.  Based on the procedures and criteria that the promotion boards use to evaluate records and select officers, omitting classified information from officers’ performance reports did not significantly affect their chance of being promoted.  In addition, officers working on special access programs have been promoted to major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel above the Air Force average promotion rate from 1997 through 1999.”  AFPC/DPPPO recommended denial.  

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the evaluation and provided a reaccomplished PRF.

The applicant’s response, with attachment, is at Exhibit E.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice to warrant his promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY99B lieutenant colonel board.  The applicant contends that all of his assignments involved highly sensitive and classified programs, and as a result, his supervisors were unable to effectively communicate the levels of his responsibilities, the particulars of his duties, his accomplishments, and the impact on the Air Force and the Department of Defense (DoD).  The Board has thoroughly reviewed both the unclassified and classified submissions and while the additional explanations clarified with some specificity those projects the applicant was involved in, they did not necessarily add to the strength of his official record.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend his direct promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel.

4.  Notwithstanding the above, the breadth and depth of the applicant’s experience may not have been adequately reflected in the PRF prepared for the CY99B selection board.  Furthermore, based on some apparent discrepancies between his Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) and the PRF, in the interest of justice, the applicant was contacted and provided an opportunity to have the senior rater reaccomplish the PRF.  The senior rater has reviewed the applicant’s record and provided a reaccomplished PRF.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

	a.	The Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF), AF Form 709, prepared for the Calendar Year 1999B (CY99B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board be declared void and removed from his records.

	b.	The attached PRF prepared for the CY99B selection board reflecting the last sentence “SSS is a must!” in Section IV, Promotion Recommendation, be filed in his records.

It is further recommended that his record, to include the attached PRF prepared for the CY99B selection board, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the CY99B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 01-00964 in Executive Session on 24 October 2001 and 9 August 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Chair
				Member
				Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 2 Apr 01.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 10 May 01.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 25 May 01.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Aug 02, w/atch.

                                   
 								Chair

AFBCMR 01-00964

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that:

		a.	The Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF), AF Form 709, prepared for the Calendar Year 1999B (CY99B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board be, and hereby is, declared void and removed from his records.

		b.	The attached PRF prepared for the CY99B selection board, reflecting the last sentence “SSS is a must!” in Section IV, Promotion Recommendation, be filed in his records.

	It is further directed that his record, to include the attached PRF prepared for the CY99B selection board, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the CY99B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency

Attachment:
AF Form 709, PRF