RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-00253
		INDEX NUMBER:  107.00

	XXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  None

	XXX-XX-XXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  No

_______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), be entered into official channels prior to 31 May 00 and it be considered in the promotion process for cycle 00E7 to master sergeant (MSgt) (promotions effective Aug 00-Jul 01).

_______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The original decoration package submitted on him was misplaced or lost requiring a second package to be accomplished.

There was excessive delay in processing his decoration.

He has statements from those involved in processing his decoration that indicate that his decoration was delayed due to gross oversight in the administrative processes.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_______________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is serving on active duty in the grade of technical sergeant.  His Total Active Federal Military Service Date is 29 Nov 85.  The overall rating on his last eight Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs) is “5.”

The applicant tested for promotion to MSgt during cycle 00E7 and achieved a total weighted promotion score of 317.30.  A score of 318.59 was required for selection in his Control Air Force Specialty Code (CAFSC).  If the AFCM 1OLC the applicant received were counted in his total weighted promotion score, it would make him a selectee for cycle 00E7.  For a decoration to be credited for the 00E7 cycle, the closeout date must be on or before the promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD) of 31 Dec 99 and must have been placed into official channels prior to the promotion selection date of 31 May 00.  The closeout date of the applicant’s AFCM 1OLC is 24 Oct 99, prior to the necessary closeout date.  The Décor 6 when signed by the commander certifies when a decoration was placed into official channels.  The Décor 6 for the applicant’s AFCM 1 OLC is dated 22 Feb 00, was signed by the recommending official on 3 Mar 00, and signed by the commander on 18 Jun 00, after the promotion selection date of 31 May 00.

_______________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends denial of the applicant’s request.  Although the applicant feels the delay in receiving his decoration was excessive, the decoration was processed and awarded well within time limits required by Air Force instructions.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPWB recommends denial of the applicant’s request.  The decoration does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during the 00E7 cycle because it was not placed into official channels until 18 Jun 00, after selections were made on 31 May 00.  This policy was initiated in 1979 to specifically preclude personnel from subsequently (after promotion selections) submitting someone for a decoration with a retroactive decoration effective date (closeout) to put them over the selection cutoff score.  Exceptions to this policy are only considered when the airman can support a previous submission with documentation or statements, including conclusive evidence that the recommendation was officially placed in military channels within the prescribed time limit and conclusive evidence that the decoration was not acted upon through loss or inadvertence.  According to AFI 36-2803, The Air Force Decorations and Awards Program, para 3.1, a decoration is considered placed into official channels when the decoration recommendation is signed by the initiating official and indorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.

After an extensive review of the circumstances of this case, to include documentation provided by the applicant, there is no conclusive evidence the lost decoration was resubmitted before the date of selections for the 00E7 cycle.

The complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.

_______________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant responded to the Air Force evaluations by indicating that he was unable to provide the original decoration package because it was lost in the routing process.  The applicant provides statements of support to verify that his decoration was placed into official channels prior to 31 May 00.  He also provides a certified copy of the suspense-tracking log from his unit that shows that the decoration was placed into channels as early as 10 Feb 00.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit F.

_______________________________________________________________

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 error or injustice.  After reviewing all of the available evidence of record, we are persuaded that the applicant’s decoration was placed into official channels prior to 31 May 2000, but was lost and then reaccomplished.  Although, the applicant’s commander did not sign the recommendation for decoration until 18 June 2000, the applicant provided evidence that shows the original decoration was initiated as early as 10 February 2000.  In addition, his section commander has provided a letter certifying that administrative problems occurred that delayed the processing of the package.  We believe that the applicant provided compelling evidence adequate to support his assertion that the original promotion package was placed into official channels prior to 31 May 2000.  Therefore, we recommend that the records be corrected as indicated below

_______________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the recommendation for decoration for the Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) awarded to him for the period  23 April 1996 to 24 October 1999 was signed by the commander on 30 May 2000 and entered into official channels on that date.

It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant (E-7) beginning with cycle 00E7.

If selected for promotion to master sergeant by supplemental consideration, he be provided any additional supplemental consideration required as a result of that selection.

If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the Board for a final determination on the individual’s qualifications for the promotion.

If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion the records shall be corrected to show that he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.

_______________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-00253 in Executive Session on 24 April 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Jan 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 21 Feb 02.
     Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 5 Feb 02.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 1 Apr 02.
     Exhibit F.  Memorandum, Applicant, dated 10 Apr 02,
                 w/atchs.

                                   	

AFBCMR 02-00253

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 XXXXXXXXXX, XXX-XX-XXXX, be corrected to show that the recommendation for decoration for the Air Force Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) awarded to him for the period 23 April 1996 to 24 October 1999 was signed by the commander on 30 May 2000 and was entered into official channels on that date.

	It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant (E-7) beginning with cycle 00E7.

	If selected for promotion to master sergeant by supplemental consideration, he be provided any additional supplemental consideration required as a result of that selection.

	If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the Board for a final determination on the individual’s qualifications for the promotion.

	If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion the records shall be corrected to show that he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.