RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2002-02908
INDEX CODE:  107.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL: NO

	XXXXXXXXXXXX					HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

His closeout date for his Air Force Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM/1OLC) be changed from 31 January 2001 to 10 December 2000.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The original closeout date of his AFCM was changed from 10 December 2000 to 31 January 2001, without his supervisor’s knowledge, to prevent the squadron from turning in a late report to the group and wing. 

In support of his application, the applicant provides a copy of his DÉCOR-6, Request for Decoration Printout (RDP), documents associated with his AFCM processing, copies of his four Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs) within the time period of the decoration, memos from his squadron and group commanders recommending the injustice be corrected, and a copy of his AFCM/1OLC citation.  The applicant’s complete submission with attachments is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Data extracted from the personnel data system reflects that the applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 1 February 1988.  He has been progressively promoted to the grade of Technical Sergeant (TSgt), having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 November 2002.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letters prepared by the appropriate offices of the Air Force at Exhibits C and D.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends disapproval.  The applicant has not provided any documentation showing that his request was submitted through administrative channels to the final approval authority for determination, even after DPPPR requested that he provide such documentation in their letter dated 26 September 2002.  DPPPR recommends the applicant submit his request through proper administrative channels, to the final approval authority for determinations of his request.

The DPPPR evaluation with attachment is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPWB defers to the recommendation of AFPC/DPPPR.  It is implied that if the applicant’s request is approved, he wishes to apply the decoration points toward his weighted scores for promotion cycle 01E6.  The applicant’s total weighted promotion score for the 01E6 cycle was 309.72 and the score required for selection in his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 312.34.  If the decoration (worth three points) were counted in the applicant’s total score, he would normally become a selectee for promotion pending a favorable data verification check and the recommendation from his commander.  However, current Air Force promotion policy (AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion Program, Table 2.2, Rule 5, Note 2) dictates that before a decoration is credited for a specific promotion cycle, the closeout date of the DÉCOR-6, must be on or before the Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD), and the date of the DÉCOR-6, must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  The PECD for cycle 01E6 was 31 December 2000.  Additionally, when a decoration is contested, it must be documented and verified showing that it was placed into official channels prior to the selection date.  This policy was initiated to specifically preclude personnel from subsequently (after promotion selections) submitting someone for a decoration with a retroactive decoration effective date (closeout) so as to put him or her over the selection cutoff score.  Promotion selections for this cycle were made on 29 May 2001 with a public release date of 7 June 2001.  

Exceptions to the above policy are only considered when the airman can support a previous submission with documentation or statements including conclusive evidence that the recommendation was officially placed in military channels within the prescribed time limit and conclusive evidence the recommendation was not acted upon through loss or inadvertence.  A decoration is considered in official channels when the decoration recommendation is signed by the initiating official and indorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.  Records indicate the commander signed the applicant’s DÉCOR-6, with inclusive dates 2 August 1997 - 10 December 2000, on 21 November 2000.  However, the special order and citation indicates the closeout date as 31 January 2001. Although it was evident by the commander’s signature on the DÉCOR-6 that it was his intention to award the citation for the period 2 August 1997 - 10 December 2000, the fact remains this decoration does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during the 01E6 cycle because it closed out after the PECD (31 December 2000).  There is no evidence to indicate the applicant tried to correct the closeout date of the decoration until June 2002, well after the selections were announced (7 June 2001) and he discovered he missed promotion by less than three points.  

If the closeout date of the AFCM should be changed to 10 December 2000, it would not entitle the applicant to automatic supplemental promotion consideration for promotion cycle 01E6 since the change would not have taken place until after selections for this cycle were made (29 May 2001).  He would only be provided supplemental consideration if directed by the Board.  As a matter of information, the applicant was selected for promotion to TSgt for cycle 02E6 with a DOR of 1 November 2002.

The DPPPWB evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 22 November 2002 for review and response (Exhibit E).  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has not 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.  The recommendation for the applicant’s AFCM (lst OLC) was approved by the award approving authority, the wing commander, on 24 January 2001 with a closeout date for the award of 31 January 2001.  We note the support by the applicant’s squadron and group commander to change the award inclusive dates; however, without evidence of support from the award approving authority, we concur with the opinion of the Air Force office of primary responsibility.  Should the applicant obtain approval and support for his request from the award approval authority, we suggest he pursue the matter through his appropriate administrative channels for correction before again petitioning this Board for an additional review.  In view of the foregoing, we have no basis on which to favorably consider the applicant’s request.

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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 this application in Executive Session on 2 April 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket No. BC-2002-02908:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Aug 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 4 Nov 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 7 Nov 02.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Nov 02.