RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01255
				INDEX CODE:  131.00

	APPLICANT
	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 Officer Selection Record (OSR) which met the CY01B central lieutenant colonel selection board was missing, and did not reflect, correct information.  His Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) and Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM 1OLC) were missing from the promotion package.  His record was incomplete with the missing decorations and this put him at an unfair disadvantage as compared to other officers whose records were complete.  

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

			 16 May 99		Meets Standards
			 16 May 00		Meets Standards
			 17 Nov 00		Meets Standards
			 20 Jul 01		Meets Standards

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPOO states that citations are not included in the records for the board members to review, rather, they are there to make the board members aware of the level of the decoration the service member has received.  However, the board members can, if they choose to, review the comments on the citations.  The applicant's AFCM and MSM, 1OLC were reflected in the military personnel data system and 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 AFCM and MSM, 1OLC and the discrepancy letter filed on the top of the OSR informed the board that the citations were missing.  DPPPO has filed a copy of the citations in the applicant's OSR.  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 14 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 the applicant the same full and fair promotion consideration as other officers who were being considered for promotion by the board.  The applicant, after reviewing his promotion records contacted the Military Personnel Flight to correct any errors or discrepancies in his promotion records.  The applicant attempted to ensure his promotion record was complete even although he was deployed, by requesting the assistance of others to follow up on the status of his promotion records.  In the opinion of the Board, we feel the applicant exhibited due diligence to ensure his promotion record was error free before being presented at the promotion board.  In view of the foregoing, we believe the applicant suffered an injustice, as a result of the missing citations from his promotion records and this 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 Commendation Medal  awarded for  the period 22 November 1978 to 22 April 1983 and the Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster awarded for the period 27 June 1997 to 14 December 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 02-01255 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 20 Mar 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Officer Selection Record.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 10 Jun 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Jun 02.

				

AFBCMR 02-01255

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 Commendation Medal awarded for the period 22 November 1978 to 22 April 1983 and the Meritorious Service Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster awarded for the period 27 June 1997 to 14 December 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.