RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-00743
		INDEX CODE:  131.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The date the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) for the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), awarded for the period 28 Apr 98 to 11 Sep 00, was placed into official channels be changed from 13 Jun 01 to either 11 Sep 00 or prior to 31 Dec 00.

He be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of technical sergeant for cycle 01E6.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The AFCM (1OLC) not being considered in the promotion process during cycle 01E6 was an injustice.  His supporting documentation clearly documents his chain of command’s intent that he receive this decoration.  Numerous administrative errors outside his control prevented the decoration from being considered during cycle 01E6.  He should not have to pay the price for errors that were outside his control.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided an expanded statement, supportive statements, including a statement from his Commander, documentation pertaining to the AFCM (1OLC), and other documents associated with the matter under review.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, 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 staff sergeant, having been promoted to that grade on 1 Apr 97.  His Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 13 Oct 89.

Special Order G-066, dated 13 Jun 01, reflects that the applicant was awarded the AFCM (1OLC) for meritorious service during the period 28 Apr 98 to 11 Sep 00.  The RDP date was 8 Mar 01.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommended denial.  AFPC/DPPPR noted that the applicant was assigned to the Air Force Legal Services Agency (AFLSA) at Keesler Air Force Base (AFB) during the period 28 Apr 98 to 11 Sep 00.  His next assignment was at Elmendorf AFB where he is now stationed.  He was recommended for, and awarded, the Air Force Commendation Medal for his assignment at Keesler AFB.

AFPC/DPPPR indicated that the applicant was recommended for, and awarded, the AFCM (1OLC), as his supervisor and superior officers intended.  However, administrative delays and errors, which are to be expected, caused award of the decoration to be delayed until after the selection date of 29 May 01.  However, the endorsing official did not see the final package (minus the RDP) until 9 May 01, when he signed the certificate/citation.  Prior to that date, the decoration package was still in draft format.  Therefore, the RDP could not be endorsed before 9 May 01.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit B.

AFPC/DPPPWB recommended denial.  AFPC/DPPPWB noted that the applicant’s total weighted promotion score for the 01E6 cycle was 326.94 and the score required for selection in his Control Air Force Specialty Code (CAFSC) was 329.13.  If the decoration (worth three points) is counted in the applicant’s total score, he would become a selectee for promotion pending a favorable data verification check and the recommendation of his commander.  Promotion selections for this cycle were made on 29 May 01 with a public release date of 7 Jun 01.

The policies regarding the approval of a decoration and the credit of a decoration for promotion purposes are two separate and distinct policies.  Current Air Force promotion policy (AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion Program, Table 2.2, Rule 5, Note 2) dictates that before a decoration is credited for a specific promotion cycle, the close out date of the decoration must be on or before the Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD), and the date of the RDP must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  Each promotion cycle has an established PECD which is used to determine what Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) or Chief Enlisted Manager (CEM) Code the member will be considered, as well as which performance reports and decorations will be used in the promotion consideration.  The PECD for the cycle in question was 31 Dec 00.  In addition, a decoration that a member claims was lost, downgraded, etc., must be fully documented and verified that it was placed into official channels prior to the selection date.

After an extensive review of the circumstances of this case to include documentation the applicant has provided, AFPC/DPPPWB stated that there was no conclusive evidence the decoration was submitted before the date of selections for the 01E6 cycle.  While they are acutely aware of the impact this recommendation has on the applicant’s career, the fact is the lost decoration was not resubmitted until after selections for this cycle were made.  To approve the applicant’s request would not be fair or equitable to many others in the same situation who miss promotion selection by a narrow margin and are not entitled to have an “after the fact” decoration count in the promotion process.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPPWB evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant indicated that he has presented credible evidence to support an exception to policy.  He believes he is a victim of an organization with poor processes and who admittedly lack accountability.  In his view, he should not be burdened with the punishment by denying him the stripe that he has earned and deserves.

Applicant’s complete response 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We note that the applicant was awarded the AFCM (1 OLC), for the period 28 Apr 98 to 11 Sep 00.  Although the close-out date of the decoration was before the PECD, and the date of the RDP was prior to the date of selections for cycle 01E6, the decoration recommendation was not placed into official channels until after selections.  The applicant’s commander has provided a statement indicating that due to administrative oversights, he did not receive the document used by the personnel system to track award recommendations until 13 Jun 01.  However, other documents reflect his approval of the medal prior to selections on 29 May 01.  He further indicated that their internal tracking ledger for these actions showed that he sent the award to the commander’s support staff for final preparation of the citation on 1 May 01.  Since it appears that the delay in the processing of the award was through no fault of the applicant, and the actions performed were completed prior to selections, we believe the award should be considered in the promotion process for cycle 01E6.  Therefore, we recommend his 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 the Recommendation for Decoration Printout for the Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded for the period 28 April 1998 to 11 September 2000, was placed into official channels on 9 May 2001, rather than 13 June 2001.

It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of technical sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 01E6.  

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 qualification 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. 

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-00743 in Executive Session on 4 Jun 02, 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 25 Feb 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 26 Mar 02, w/atch.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 28 Mar 02, w/atch.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Apr 02.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, applicant, undated.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-00743

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 , be corrected to show that the Recommendation for Decoration Printout for the Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded for the period 28 April 1998 to 11 September 2000, was placed into official channels on 9 May 2001, rather than 13 June 2001.

	It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of technical sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 01E6.  

	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 qualification 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.