RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-02789
				
				COUNSEL:  NONE

				HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His AF Form 709, Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF) that was presented to the Calendar Year 2001 (CY01) Central Colonel Selection Board be amended and he be considered for promotion by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY01 selection board.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The last line in his PRF’s promotion recommendation section, block IV, was influenced by an error in his duty title on his Officer Selection Brief (OSB).  This fact has been repeatedly attested by his senior rater.  Awareness of the error and its impact on the process, PRF and Board outcome, did not occur until his supervisor received their copies of the PRF submitted to the promotion board--this AFTER the board had met.  At that point not only were there awareness of content problems with the PRF and the contributing error in the OSB but, also the occurrence of a clerical error that devalued the promotion recommendation section.  These facts are attested to in the attached memos from his senior rater.  

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided copies of the AFBCMR decision, application to the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board (ERAB), AF Form 948; his response to the decision from the ERAB; the original PRF; his career highlights; supporting statements from the senior rater and the Management Level Review Board (MLRB) president; and initial PRF and proposed PRF.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

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

On 17 Dec 01, a similar appeal was denied by the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board (ERAB). 

Applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of colonel by the CY01A in the promotion (IPZ).  He was selected for promotion to the grade of colonel by the CY01B above-the-zone (APZ) colonel central selection board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

AFPC/DPPPEB recommended denial.  The applicant alleges the last line of his PRF was influenced by an error on his OSB.  However, the applicant’s senior rater completely re-wrote the applicant’s PRF with an updated duty title, key duties, tasks, and responsibilities and promotion recommendation.  Rewriting a PRF to include different but previously known or documented accomplishments does not meet the required criteria for a PRF appeal, nor does it meet the intent and integrity of the AF promotion recommendation process.

The applicant states he did not received a copy of his PRF until after the board had met.  It was the applicant’s responsibility to contact the senior rater if he had not received a copy of his PRF NLT 15 days prior to the central selection board.  However, he does not state if any actions were taken to retrieve his PRF prior to the central selection board (CSB).

The applicant has provided a new PRF with supportive documentation from the senior rater and MLR president.  To change Section IV, the senior rater must demonstrate that there was a material error in the PRF, a material error in the record of performance that substantially impacted the content of the PRF, or a material error in the process by which the PRF was crafted.  In addition, the applicant must demonstrate he took corrective action prior to the selection board.  These requirements were not met.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPO concurred with the findings of AFPC/DPPPEB and had nothing to add.  Since the advisory recommends denial, SSB consideration is not warranted.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluations and stated that, his senior rater has repeatedly communicated an overview of the circumstances, as has the MLR President.  Although general language is used, the message is that multiple system failures occurred.  He does not know what else can be stated.  The fact that the highest-ranking officers in the Military Medical Service have stated (repeatedly) an injustice took place should have value and credibility to those who did not experience but must pass judgment.  Further, knowing that these same officers ensured the correct outcome occurred at the next MSC 06 Board, where he as Above-the-Zone should serve as compelling and relevant information.  He submits another letter of support from his senior rater and a revised PRF.

Applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit F.

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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 colonel by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY01 Colonel Selection Board.  On reaching this conclusion, we considered the statements from the senior rater and Management Level Review Board president and were persuaded by their substantial support that the PRF was flawed.  Given the unequivocal support from senior Air Force officers involved, and having no plausible reason to doubt their integrity in this matter, we believe that the contested PRF should be declared void and replaced with reaccomplished PRF.  Therefore, in view of the above findings, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.  

4.  The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.

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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 Promotion Recommendation (PRF) prepared for use by the Calendar Year 2001 (CY01) Colonel Selection Board, which convened on 8 January 2001, be declared void and removed from his record and the attached reaccomplished PRF be accepted for file in its place.

It is further recommended that his record be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY01 Colonel Selection Board, with inclusion of the reaccomplished PRF.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-2789 in Executive Session on 26 February 2003, 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 26 Aug 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPEB, dated 24 Oct 02.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 7 Nov 02.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 15 Nov 02.
     Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 24 Nov 02, w/atchs.