RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01216
				INDEX CODE:  131.00

	APPLICANT		COUNSEL:  None

	SSN		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a special selection board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2001B (CY01B) Selection Board.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records did not compete fairly for promotion to lieutenant colonel.  His records were missing two citations, the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and the Air Force Achievement Medal with second oak leaf cluster (AFAM, 2OLC).  These citations contained information pertaining to his duty performance that was not available anywhere else in his records.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

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

Applicant was considered, but not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY01B central lieutenant colonel selection board.

Applicant’s OPR profile as a major is listed below.

			PERIOD ENDING		OVERALL EVALUATION

			 13 Jun 98		Meets Standards
			 13 Jun 99		Meets Standards

			  6 May 00		Meets Standards
			 29 Jun 01		Training Report (TR)
			  1 Jun 01		Meets Standards

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPO states that the purpose of having a citation included in the records is not to allow board members to review the comments, but rather they are there to make the board members aware of the level of the decoration.  The applicant's AFAM, 2OLC and MSM, were reflected in the military personnel data system and on his officer selection brief (OSB).

Service members' entire OSR is evaluated by the central boards.  The central boards consider the members' job performance, professional qualities, depth and breadth of experience, leadership, and academic and professional military education.  They also include in their assessment for promotion consideration promotion recommendation forms, officer performance reports, officer effectiveness reports, training reports, letters of evaluation, decorations and officer selection briefs.

Although the applicant's citations were not in his OSR during the board's review, the board had access to his entire officer selection record.  The OSB reflected the applicant had received the AFAM, 2OLC and MSM.  Also, the applicant's OPRs written during that period mentions the accomplishment of the citations. DPPPO is not convinced the missing citations were instrumental to the applicant's nonselection.  Based on the evidence provided, they recommend the applicant's request to be considered for promotion by a special selection board be denied

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR STAFF EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 21 Jun 02, for review and response within 30 days.  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 warranting consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board.  After reviewing the evidence of record, we are persuaded the citations missing from the applicant's promotion records did not afford him the same full and fair promotion consideration as other officers who were being considered for promotion.  It appears the applicant had no knowledge that the citations were missing from his promotion records.  If the applicant had been notified that there were discrepancies in his records, he would have had the opportunity to contact the appropriate office to have this corrected.  In view of the foregoing, we believe the applicant suffered an injustice, as a result of the missing citations and this may have put him at a disadvantage before the promotion board.  While it cannot be conclusively determined whether or not the absence of the two citations was the sole cause of the applicant's non-selection for promotion, we are persuaded that the omission of these citations deprived him of fair and equitable consideration for promotion.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant be afforded Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration by the CY01B lieutenant colonel central selection board.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, to include the citations for the Air Force Achievement Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) awarded for the period 6 March 2000 to 17 March 2000 and the Meritorious Service Medal awarded for the period 7 October 1997 to 31 May 2000, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001 Central Lieutenant Colonel Board and any subsequent boards which these citations were not a matter of record.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-01216 in Executive Session on 22 August 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 2 Apr 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Officer Selection Brief.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 11 Jun 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 21 Jun 02.

AFBCMR 02-01216

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having reviewed and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction for 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, SSN, to include the citations for the Air Force Achievement Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) awarded for the period 6 March 2000 to 17 March 2000 and the Meritorious Service Medal awarded for the period 7 October 1997 to 31 May 2000, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001 Central Lieutenant Colonel Board and any subsequent boards which these citations were not a matter of record.