RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-00771
				INDEX CODE 107.00  131.01
				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Officer Selection Record (OSR) be corrected to include the award of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, 4th Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM 4OLC) and he receive Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration for promotion to the grade of colonel for the FY02 Colonel Promotion Board which convened 22 October 2001.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

During his recent assignment and permanent change of station, effective 9 September 2001, to Commander, 926 Support Group, NAS JRB New Orleans LA, he understood that he had been submitted for the award of the MSM 4OLC.  He was unaware that the award had not been processed until after the date of the FY02 Colonel Promotion Board.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits his promotion recommendation form, and the MSM citation and order.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of Lt Col.

Applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of colonel by the FY01 and FY02 Colonel Promotion Boards.

The MSM citation was not filed in his Officer Selection Record (OSR) at the time the FY02 board convened.

He was awarded the MSM by Special Order G-030, effective        31 January 2002.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this applicant, extracted from the applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of Air Force at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPB recommended denial.  The applicant had a permanent change of station (PCS) 9 September 2001.  When he left, he was told he had been submitted for a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM). The MSM was not awarded to the applicant until 31 January 2002  over two months after the FYO2 board adjourned and is not a factor in the selection or non-selection of this officer.  In order for the MSM to appear in the applicant’s record as presented to the FY02 Colonel Promotion Board, the effective date and the date of the order awarding the medal had to be prior to the convening date of the board (22 October 2001).

ARPC/DPB evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and submitted a statement from HQ 10 AF/DPM supporting the fact that the MSM had been submitted prior to the promotion board.  The applicant’s complete submission 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.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After thoroughly reviewing the applicant's complete submission, we are not persuaded that the applicant's records warrant reconsideration by an SSB for promotion to the grade of colonel.  In regard to the contested MSM 4OLC, the Board is of the opinion that the decoration was processed within the time allowed by AFI 36-2803 and that it was not required to be on file at the time the FY02 colonel promotion board convened on 22 October 2001.  The applicant has not provided any evidence from his rating chain that it was their intent that the award be placed in his records prior to the FY02 board or that it was unduly delayed or failed to be processed in a timely manner.  Therefore, 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 Docket Number 02-00771 in Executive Session on 13 June 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 25 Feb 02, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, ARPC/DPB, dated 18 Mar 02.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Apr 02.
	Exhibit E.	Applicant's response, dated 19 Apr 02.