RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-03393
		INDEX CODE: 131.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be considered for a position vacancy (PV) promotion by a Special Review Board (SRB) for the Fiscal Year 2003B (FY03B) Reserve of the Air Force (ResAF) Lieutenant Colonel PV Board.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

At the time of the 24 June 2002 Position Vacancy Board, her record did not document her 20 May 2002 completion of Air Command and Staff College (ACSC).

In support of her appeal, the applicant provided a letter from ARPC/SG, dated 10 June 2002, AF Form 709 (Promotion Recommendation Form) for the FY03 Board, ACSC/DLO letter, dated 28 May 2002, and a Diploma from the Air University, dated 20 May 2002.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of major.

The applicant was nominated for consideration by the FY03 Line and Health Professions Lieutenant Colonel Position Vacancy (PV) Selection Board, which convened on 24 July 2002.  The nomination, Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF), AF Form 709, was returned because the applicant had not completed the appropriate level of professional military education (PME) required for a PV nomination by the PRF submission date – 45 days prior to the board convening date.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force.  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPB recommended denial.  They indicated that the applicant’s nomination, AF From 709, Promotion Recommendation (PRF) was returned by HQ ARPC/SG (central manager for the health professions competitive category).  The letter attached to the AF Form 709 stated the nominee did not complete the appropriate level of professional military education (PME).  HQ ARPC/SG has determined that completion of an appropriate level of PME is a discriminating factor for PV competition.  They levied the requirement of PME completion to ensure only the very top performers compete for PV promotion.

A health professions officer nominated for PV promotion must complete their PME by the PRF submission date, 45 days before the board convenes.  The PRF submission date for the FY03 Line and Health Professions PV Selection Board was approximately 10 May 2002.  The applicant’s attachment, ACSC course completion certificate, stated the applicant completed the required course on 20 May 2002, 10 days after the established deadline for submission.

The requirement for completion of PME prior to submission of the nomination is very clear.  Consistently applied policy is the only equitable way to level the playing field for all officers competing for this early promotion.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 8 November 2002, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within thirty (30) days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

_________________________________________________________________

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 an error or an injustice.  The applicant’s contention that at the time of the 24 June 2002 Position Vacancy Board, her record did not document her 20 May 2002 completion of Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) is duly noted.  However, we took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  We note that apparently in accordance with the established governing policy, the applicant’s nomination for a PV promotion was returned because she had not completed the appropriate level of professional military education (PME) at the time the PRF was submitted.  While we note that the applicant had completed the PME by the date the selection board convened, this was outside the window for promotion nomination.  In this respect, the Board notes that a health professions officer nominated for PV promotion must complete their PME by the PRF submission date which is 45 days before the selection board convenes.  The PRF submission date for the FY03 Line and Health Professions PV Selection Board was approximately 10 May 2002.  The applicant’s ACSC course completion certificate stated she completed the required course on 20 May 2002, 10 days after the established deadline for submission.  The applicant has not established that to our satisfaction that she was treated any differently than other similarly situated individuals.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

_________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 02-03393 in Executive Session on 17 December 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	            Panel Chair
	            Member
	            Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 16 October 2002, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, ARPC/DPB, dated 30 October 2002.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 8 November 2002.