RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01215
		INDEX CODE:  131.01

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be given Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the Calendar Year 2000A (CY00A) Lieutenant Colonel Board, which convened on 28 Nov 00.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The citation for award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) was not filed in her Office Selection Record (OSR) when she was considered for promotion by the CY00A Lieutenant Colonel Board.

A discrepancy letter that was filed in her OSR indicating her record was missing documentation of her medical board certification was in error--her Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) does not require such certification.

In support of her appeal, the applicant provided supportive statements, a personal statement, an extract of AFI 36-2501, and a copy of a discrepancy report.

Applicant’s complete submission 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 Jun 96.  Her Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 10 Oct 84.

Applicant's Officer Performance Report (OPR) profile since 1990 follows:

	PERIOD ENDING	EVALUATION

	 1 Mar 90			Meets Standards
	28 Dec 90			Meets Standards
	28 Jun 91			Meets Standards
	28 Jun 92			Meets Standards
	14 Nov 92			Meets Standards
	14 Nov 93			Meets Standards
	14 Nov 94			Meets Standards
	10 Aug 95			Meets Standards
	10 Aug 96			Meets Standards
	10 Aug 97			Meets Standards
	10 Aug 98			Meets Standards
	 4 Jun 99			Meets Standards
	19 May 00			Meets Standards
  #  18 Oct 00			Meets Standards

# Top Report at the time she was considered and nonselected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY00A (28 Nov 00) Lt Col Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Promotion, Evaluation, and Recognition Division, AFPC/DPPPO, reviewed this application and recommended denial.  DPPPO noted the applicant’s contention that her basic MSM citation was not in her record for the P0500A central board.  They agreed.  DPPPO indicated that although the citation was not in the OSR when the board convened, the board members knew of its existence as evidenced by the entry on the officer selection brief (OSB).  Therefore, they knew the decoration was awarded, which is the ultimate purpose of including it in the promotion selection process.  Specifically cited is that orders granting decorations may be filed and maintained when a like citation is not available.  This speaks to the “knowledge” that a decoration was given as opposed to the “contents” of the citation.  In addition, there was a subsequent higher-level decoration filed in the OSR--a Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 4 Dec 95 through 20 Jun 99--when the board convened.  Central boards evaluate the entire (OSR) (including the promotion recommendation form, officer performance reports, officer effectiveness reports, training reports, letters of evaluation, decorations, and the OSB, assessing whole person factors such as job performance, professional qualities, depth and breadth of experience, leadership, and academic and professional military education.  The selection board had the applicant’s entire OSR that clearly outlined her accomplishments since the date she came on active duty.

DPPPO noted the applicant’s statement that her AFSC does not require board certification.  DPPPO indicated that, according to HQ AFPC/DPAM, Nurse Utilization and Education Branch, since her AFSC at one time had an “M” prefix, she is medically certified, and she should have taken steps to ensure documentation was filed in her OSR.  Her OSB also reflects she is board certified, so board members would not have assumed her record was in error when they saw the discrepancy letter annotating missing certification documentation--only that the actual documentation was missing.  According to DPPPO, they advised her of this on 23 May 01, by telephone.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant indicated that she is confident that the discrepancy report reviewed by the Central Selection Board gave a negative impression towards her records being evaluated fairly.  The word “discrepancy” alone means inconsistent or different.  Furthermore, the report would not be part of the selection process if it did not make a difference.

Applicant stated that prior to the convening of the Board, she spoke to the Assistant Branch Chief/Nurse Utilization Officer at Randolph AFB.  She requested that it be confirmed if her AFSC had changed on her record since she was meeting the board.  At that time, no mention was made of a discrepancy report in her OSR.  She learned of the discrepancy report after the board.  She contacted the individual’s supervisor about not being informed about the report.  She was told that it was not that individual’s responsibility to review records.

Applicant’s complete response and additional documentary evidence are 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.  The applicant's complete submission was thoroughly reviewed and her contentions were duly noted.  However, we do not find the applicant’s assertions and the documentation presented in support of her appeal sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR).  The applicant’s comments that AFI 36-2501 required that she be notified by the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) of the discrepancies in her record were noted.  However, it appears that the portion of AFI 36-2501 that she refers to and provides pertains to general officers.  In view of the foregoing, and in the absence of evidence to support a determination that the applicant’s record before the original selection board was so inaccurate or misleading that the board was unable to make a reasonable decision concerning her promotability in relationship to her peers, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 25 Jul 01, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 Apr 01, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 31 May 01, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 15 Jun 01.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, applicant, dated 27 Jun 01, w/atch.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair