RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01758
		INDEX CODE:  131.01
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2001B (CY01B) lieutenant colonel selection board to include his Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) second oak leaf cluster (2OLC), and his Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) 3OLC.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The AFAM was for a one-time achievement and he had forgotten about it when he reviewed his records prior to the selection board.  Even though he had moved to his new assignment on 29 Jun 01, the MSM was not completed in time to meet the promotion board due to the unexpected death of his supervisor and the September 11, 2001 attack on the Pentagon.  Since this discovery, he has worked with his previous office to ensure the decoration was completed.  Officially the medal was entered into his record on 14 May 02.

In support of his request, the applicant provided a copy of the AFAM (2OLC) and MSM (3OLC), and copies of Special Order G-07 and GA-038.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was appointed a second lieutenant, Reserve of the Air Force, on 25 Jul 86 and was voluntarily ordered to extended active duty on that same date.  He was integrated into the Regular Air Force on 10 Jun 87.  He has been progressively promoted to the grade of major, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Apr 98.  He was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY01B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board which convened on 5 Nov 01.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO reviewed applicant's request and recommends denial.  DPPPO states that the AFAM provided by the applicant is erroneously labeled as AFAM 2OLC.  The correct medal for the period (28 Oct 98 to 7 Jan 99) is the AFAM 1OLC (second awarded medal) and was filed in the applicant's Officer Selection Record (OSR) on 23 Feb 99, prior to the board.  The discrepancy letter filed in the OSR indicated that the AFAM 1OLC was not updated in the military personnel data system.  This would have called attention to the fact that there was a medal citation in the OSR.  Since the board members had a copy of the citation to review, SSB consideration is not warranted.  

The MSM provided by the applicant is erroneously labeled as MSM 3OLC.  The correct medal for the period (2 Jul 98 to 29 Jun 01) is the MSM 2OLC (third awarded medal).  Since the document is erroneously labeled and not updated in the military personnel data system, it cannot be considered a matter of record.  Once the citation and special orders are corrected and updated, the decoration is still not eligible to meet the CY01B board.  Although the period of the award was through 29 Jun 01, the orders for the medal was not published until 14 May 02.  The medal was not required to be updated in the personnel data system and on file in his record until 14 Jun 02.  As such, the 29 Jun 01 MSM did not exist at the time the board convened.  

The DPPPO evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 16 Aug 02 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 error or injustice.  Evidence has not been presented which would lead us to believe that his record was substantially inaccurate when it was considered by the selection board in question.  We note that the AFAM was filed in his OSR, and therefore, was made available for consideration by the selection board members.  In addition, we note that the date of the Décor-6 initiating recommendation for award of the MSM and the date of the orders approving award of the MSM are after the date the selection board convened.  Thus it is our opinion that the MSM was not required to be included in his selection record.  We agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In the absence of persuasive 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 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 02-01758 in Executive Session on 19 Sep 02, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 May 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 12 Aug 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Aug 02.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair