RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-03267
		INDEX CODE:  131.01

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be given Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the Calendar Year 2001B (CY01B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board, with inclusion of his Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) closing 15 Mar 98, 15 Mar 99, and 15 Mar 00.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The Evaluation Reports Appeal Board (ERAB) approved corrections of erroneous Professional Military Education (PME) recommendations on three of his OPRs, but denied his request to meet an SSB.  This denial was seemingly based on consideration of just one of the corrected flawed OPRs, hence, missing the point of correcting all three flawed OPRs.  Specifically, given that he was ineligible to attend Senior Service School (SSS) upon closeout of the OPRs closing 15 Mar 98 and 15 Mar 99 because he was still eligible for selection to attend ISS, he was incorrectly recommended in those OPRs to attend SSS.  Whereas, he was ineligible for selection to attend ISS upon closeout of the OPR closing 15 Mar 00 but was recommended in the OPR to attend ISS, the erroneous PME recommendations showed regression in his performance and reflected poorly on his potential to serve in the higher grade when his records were considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel during the CY01B board.  He believes the ERAB misunderstood the gravity of taking all three of the flawed PME recommendations together.  If one OPR had been flawed, it might be feasible for a promotion board to realize error and not reflect poorly on his potential to serve in the higher grade.  However, two OPRs with inflated PME recommendations followed by an OPR with a mistakenly underinflated PME recommendation surely sent a strong, albeit unintended, signal to the promotion board that his performance had regressed, impugning his potential to serve in the higher grade.  The impact of rectifying the erroneous PME recommendations on the OPRs was sufficient to warrant SSB consideration.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided copies of the original and corrected OPRs, his Officer Selection Brief (OSB), supportive statements, and documentation pertaining to his appeal under the provisions of AFI 36-2401.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Information extracted from the Personnel Data System (PDS) indicates that the applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of major, having been promoted to that grade on 1 Feb 98.  His Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 28 May 86.

Applicant's OPR profile since 1992 follows:

	PERIOD ENDING	EVALUATION

	 8 Aug 92	Meets Standards
	16 Feb 94	Meets Standards
	31 Dec 94	Meets Standards
	31 Dec 95	Meets Standards
	16 Aug 96	Meets Standards
	 1 May 97	Meets Standards
	15 Mar 98	Meets Standards
	15 Mar 99	Meets Standards
	15 Mar 00	Meets Standards
	15 Mar 91	Meets Standards
  #  15 Mar 02	Meets Standards

# Top Report at the time he was considered and nonselected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY01B Lieutenant Colonel Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommended denial indicating that although the PME recommendations on the OPRs closing 15 Mar 98, 15 Mar 99, and 15 Mar 00 were incorrect, the applicant's officer selection brief (OSB) reflected completion of ISS in 2000.  Therefore, the board members were aware that the PME recommendations on the OPRs closing 15 Mar 98 and 15 Mar 99 were for ISS, and the recommendation on the OPR closing 15 Mar 00 was for SSS.  AFPC/DPPPO indicated that they believe the board was able to distinguish the difference between the information on the OSB, and the incorrect information reflected on the OPRs.

According to AFPC/DPPPO, there was no clear evidence that the incorrect PME recommendations on the applicant's OPRs negatively impacted his promotion opportunity.  Central boards evaluate the entire officer selection record (OSR) assessing whole person factors such as job performance, professional qualities, depth and breadth of experience, leadership, and academic and professional military education.  The selection board had the applicant's entire selection record that clearly outlined his accomplishments since the date he came on active duty.  AFPC/DPPPO stated that they were not convinced the administrative errors on the applicant's OPRs caused his nonselection for promotion.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPPO evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

In his response, the applicant indicated he believes it is inappropriate for AFPC/DPPPO to imply they know with certainty that the three flawed (now corrected) OPRs in his record did not adversely impact the CY01B board's decision to nonselect him for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel.  Three flawed OPRs in his record that was considered by the board for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel were significant and must not be ignored.  The impact of the three corrected OPRs clearly warrants his record being sent to an SSB for reconsideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel.

Applicant's complete response is at Exhibit E.

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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 error or injustice.  After reviewing the evidence presented, to include the statements provided by members of the applicant’s rating chain, we are persuaded that he may not have been fairly and equitably considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY01B board because of an inaccurate record.  In this respect, we note that the applicant was considered for promotion by the original board with his OPRs closing 15 Mar 98, 15 Mar 99, and 15 Mar 00 containing erroneous PME recommendations, which have subsequently been corrected administratively.  The applicant believes that the inappropriate level of PME on the respective OPRs showed regression in his performance and reflected poorly on his potential to serve in the higher grade.  While it cannot be conclusively determined what impact the incorrect PME recommendations may have had on the applicant’s promotion opportunity, we believe any doubt in this case should be resolved in his favor.  Accordingly, we recommend that his record, to include his corrected OPRs, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by an SSB for the CY01B Lieutenant Colonel 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 Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) closing 15 Mar 98, 15 Mar 99, and 15 Mar 00, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board:

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-03267 in Executive Session on 25 Feb 03, 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 9 Oct 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 17 Dec 02.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Jan 03.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, applicant, dated 27 Jan 03.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-03267

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of 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  to include the Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) closing 15 Mar 98, 15 Mar 99, and 15 Mar 00, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.