RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 01-01673
		INDEX CODE 131.01  107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His record, to include an Officer Selection Brief (OSB) reflecting his correct duty history and a copy of the citation to accompany award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM), be considered for promotion by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2000A (CY00A) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His duty history was incorrectly reflected on his OSB reviewed by the CY00A Lt Col Board and his Officer Selection Record (OSR) did not contain a copy of the DMSM citation.

The applicant states that as a result of the erroneous duty history entries, his joint duty tour length was misrepresented as less than one year which may have been perceived as a failure on his part to complete the joint duty assignment and could have created an impression of “homesteading” at Hanscom AFB, or lack of breadth in professional development.  After reviewing his pre-board record he identified an error with respect to his duty title with his Military Personnel Flight (MPF).  However, in updating the correct duty title the MPF erroneously changed the duty location and relevant dates of the assignment.  It was not until after the CY00A Lt Col Board that he discovered the additional errors to his OSB.

In regard to the DMSM citation, the applicant states that although the DMSM was reflected on his OSB, the lack of access to the citation while evaluating his record denied the board members valuable information regarding his duty performance and an opportunity to consider an additional strength.  As a result, the absence of the DMSM citation had the potential to influence the overall scoring outcome.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a copy of his OSB and OSR as reviewed by the CY00A Lt Col Board, and a copy of the DMSM orders and citation.

Applicant’s complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

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

On 13 April 2000, the applicant was awarded the DMSM for the period 12 November 1996 to 9 February 2000.

On 28 November 2000, the applicant was considered and nonselected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY00A Lt Col Board.  The duty history section of the OSB reviewed by the board incorrectly reflected “Electronic Systems CMD Hanscom,” rather than “AFELM US SOCOM USSO MacDill,” for the 2 August 1998 entry.  In addition, although the DMSM was listed on his OSB, a copy of the citation was not filed in his records.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Superintendent, Assignment Procedures/Joint Officer Matters, AFPC/DPAPP1, reviewed the application and states that at the time of the CY00A Lt Col Board, the applicant’s duty history for the period 14 February 1998 through 2 August 1998 was incorrectly reflected in the Personnel Data System (PDS).  They have reviewed his source documents and Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) and concur with corrections already made to his duty history.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

The Chief, Officer Promotion and Appointment Branch, AFPC/DPPPOO, reviewed the application and states that there is no clear evidence that the absence of the DMSM citation or incorrect duty effective date negatively impacted his promotion opportunity.  In this respect, they note the following:

	a.	The purpose of placing a decoration citation in an OSR is to make the board members aware of the level of the decoration.  Even though the citation was not on file for the board, the specific achievements contained in the citation were included in his OPRs and were in evidence before the board.  Since the board members were aware of the decoration, it was factored into their overall promotion evaluation.

	b.	The erroneous duty title effective date which occurred while attempting to correct a duty title error identified in a pre-board records review, was no more than an administrative error.  The applicant’s joint duty history accurately reflects his assignment at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) from 1997 to 2000.  In addition, his OSR contained four OPRs covering a period of 2 August 1996 through 2 January 2000, all while assigned to USSOCOM.  In view of this, they believe the board members were well aware that the date was an administrative error and that he was in fact assigned to a joint billet for over 24 months.

	c.	Central boards evaluate the entire OSR 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 OSR that clearly outlined his accomplishments since the date he entered active duty.

	d.	The applicant has not provided proof that he exercised reasonable diligence to correct the error in his duty effective date and insure a copy of the DMSM citation was filed in his records prior to his promotion board.  Therefore, they recommend denial of his request.

A complete copy of the Air Force 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 17 August 2001 for review and response with 30 days.  However, 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice to warrant providing the applicant consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by an SSB for the CY00A Lt Col board, with an Officer Selection Brief (OSB) reflecting his correct duty history and the citation to accompany the award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal(DMSM). In this respect, we note that on 13 April 2000, the applicant was awarded the DMSM.  Although the DMSM was reflected on his OSB, a copy of the citation was not filed in his Officer Selection Record (OSR).  In addition, the 2 August 1998 duty history entry on his OSB reflected the incorrect level, MAJCOM, and organization.  The applicant’s duty history has been corrected.  While it cannot be conclusively determined whether or not the absence of the DMSM citation and the incorrect duty history entry on his OSB were the reasons for his nonselection for promotion by the CY00A Lt Col board, we do believe that they served to deprive him of fair and equitable consideration.  Therefore, we recommend his record, to include an OSB reflecting his correct duty history and the DMSM citation, be considered for promotion by SSB for the CY00A Lt Col Board.

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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 the Officer Selection Brief prepared for the Calendar Year 2000A (CY00A) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board be amended under the Assignment History section to reflect Level “DD/J,” MAJCOM “ZVA,” and Organization “AFELM US SOCOM USSO MacDill,” effective 2 August 1998.

It is further recommended that his corrected record, to include the citation to accompany the award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board for the CY00A Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 2 October 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

	            Vice Chair
	            Member
	            Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Apr 01, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP1, dated 27 Jun 01.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPOO, dated 7 Aug 01.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 17 Aug 01.

                                   

AFBCMR 01-01673

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 the Officer Selection Brief prepared for the Calendar Year 2000A (CY00A) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board be, and hereby is, amended under the Assignment History section to reflect Level “DD/J,” MAJCOM “ZVA,” and Organization “AFELM US SOCOM USSO MacDill,” effective 2 August 1998.

	It is further directed that his corrected record, to include the citation to accompany the award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board for the CY00A Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.