RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01616
				INDEX CODE 131.01
				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be considered by a special selection board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2000 (CY00A) Medical Service Corps (MSC) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board with the completion of his American College of Healthcare Executives certificate reflected on his Officer Selection Record (OSR).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Upon receiving notification of his nonselection for promotion, he requested a personal counseling session and review of his Master Officer Selection Record, with his specialty corps liaison, Lt Col X___, USAF, MSC.  During their session, which occurred on   27 Mar 01, Lt Col X___ notified him that documentation supporting his status as a “Board Certified Healthcare Executive” was identified as missing from his Master Officer Selection Record.  Lt Col X___ further noted that his personnel overview in the Assignment Management System and his Officer Pre-selection Brief did correctly identify him as being “Board Certified.”  He informed Lt Col X___ that he submitted all documentation, as required when making changes to personnel records, through the 89th MDSS Personnel and Administration Flight when he received the certificate from the American College of Healthcare Executives.  The orderly room staff was proficient in requesting all documents before they would continue in requesting the changes to his Master Officer Record.  He was assured the orderly room would forward the documents to AFPC.  Given that his subsequent Pre-Selection Briefs and SURF reflected his status as being “Board Certified,” he believed that the documentation had been received and properly recorded.  Once notified of the missing documents, he contacted AFPC (Officer Records Section), who advised him that submission of this application was the most appropriate mechanism to seek correction of this error.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a letter from the Chief, Special Assignments Branch.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on extended active duty in the grade of Major.

Applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY00A Selection Board, however, he was considered and selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY01A Selection Board.

Applicant’s OPR profile since 1996, follows:

           PERIOD ENDING          EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL 

			12 May 96		Meets Standards (MS)
			12 May 97				MS
			12 May 98				MS
			12 May 99				MS
		*	12 May 00				MS
			12 May 01				MS

 * Top report on file at time of CY00A selection board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPMAFA2 states that the applicant indicated on his DD Form 149 that his Officer Pre-Selection Brief did correctly identify him as being board certified.  The Medical Service Corps (MSC) Certification Log reflects two certification entries for the applicant; 27 Mar 95 and 10 Apr 01.  After the MSC branch annotated the certification log, the certificate is then forwarded to this center’s Officer Record office (AFPC/DPPB).  The 1996-1997 certificate was faxed to AFPC/DPPB on 2 Apr 01.

A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPOO recommends disapproval.  AFI 36-2501, paragraph 6.3.2.2 specifically states, “Do not have an SSB if, by exercising reasonable diligence, the officer should have discovered the error or omission and could have taken corrective action before the originally scheduled board convened.”  In this case, the applicant has not provided proof that he “exercised reasonable diligence” to correct these errors prior to his promotion board.  Eligible officers are provided an Officer Preselection Brief (OPB) approximately 100 days prior to the board convening date.  Along with the OPB, members are provided an instruction sheet that outlines how to correct discrepancies prior to the start of a promotion board.  In the applicant’s case, he received an OPB and the instruction sheet approximately at the end of June.  The instructions advised the applicant to call the officer records sections to verify the OSR contains a copy of the certificate of board certification.  Applicant has not provided any information regarding what action he took prior to the board convening to ensure his certificate was filed prior to the board.  Additionally, although the certificate was not on file for the board, the Officer Selection Brief (OSB) was updated to reflect “YES” under “Board Certified.”  Since the board members were aware of his current board certification, it was factored into their overall promotion evaluation.  They do not support promotion reconsideration on this issue.

There is no clear evidence that the absence of his certificate negatively affected his promotion opportunity.  Central boards evaluate the entire OSR (including the promotion recommendation form, officer performance reports, officer effectiveness reports, training reports, letters of evaluation, decorations, and officer selection brief), 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 his entire officer selection record that clearly outlined his accomplishments since the date he came on active duty.  They are not convinced the lack of the certificate filed in the applicant’s OSR contributed to his nonselection.  Therefore, they are opposed to the applicant receiving SSB consideration on this issue.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Complete copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 24 Aug 01, for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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.  After thoroughly reviewing the applicant’s submission, to include the statement from the Chief, Special Assignments Branch, we are not persuaded that his request should be granted.  The Air Force states that his official selection brief revealed that he was “Board Certified.”  We also note that the central boards evaluate the entire officer record and it is highly unlikely the missing Board Certified Healthcare Executive Certification from applicant's Officer Selection Record (OSR) was the sole cause of his nonselection.  After reviewing the evidence of record, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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 15 November 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			Panel Chair
			Member
			Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 5 Jun 01, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPMAF2, dated 10 Jul 01, w/atchs.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, AFPC/DPPPOO, dated 20 Aug 01, w/atchs.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Aug 01.