RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-00258

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF) prepared for the Calendar Year 2001B (P0601B) Central Colonel Selection Board be removed from his records and replaced with a reaccomplished PRF and his corrected record be considered for promotion by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the P0601B Colonel Selection Board.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The omission of the phrase “definitely promote” on his PRF was a material error that could have been used by the promotion board as an ambiguous signal not to promote him despite his record.

The applicant states that the phrase is permissible in Block IV, Promotion Recommendation, of the PRF.  He later learned that of the 47 PRFs submitted by SAF/AQP to the P0601A board, 40 had the words definitely promote and 5 said promote.  His PRF was one of only two that did not have a promotion statement.

In support of the appeal, the applicant submits a reaccomplished PRF and statements from the senior rater and SAF/AQ Management Level Review (MLR) Board President.

The senior rater states that the omission of the phrase “definitely promote” from the applicant’s PRF was a material error and the oversight was his fault.  He further states that the applicant was ranked 6 of 14 IPZ eligible officers who met the SAF/AQ MLR and was the next in line for a definitely promote recommendation.

The President of the SAF/AQ MRL Board states that the applicant would have received SAF/AQ’s sixth “definitely promote” recommendation if they had more than five to award based on their pool of 14 in-the-promotion-zone (IPZ) eligibles.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of colonel by the P0601B Colonel Selection Board.  The PRF prepared for the P0601B board had an overall promotion recommendation of promote.

The Evaluation Reports Appeal Board (ERAB) considered and denied his request to replace the contested PRF.

The applicant began terminal leave of 31 March 2003 and has an established date of separation (DOS) of 1 July 2003.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

AFPC/DPPPE recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that to change Section IV, the senior rater needs to demonstrate there was a material error in the PRF; a material error in the record of performances which substantially impacted the content of the PRF; or, a material error in the process by which the PRF was crafted.  In all instances, the requested change to Section IV must be related to a documented error.  These requirements have not been met.  He does not state what actions he took prior to the Central Selection Board (CSB) to get his PRF corrected.

The AFPC/DPPPE evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPO recommends the application be denied based on the evidence provided and the recommendation of AFPC/DPPPE.  AFPC/DPPPO has reviewed the findings in the AFPC/DPPPE advisory opinion and has nothing further to add.  In addition, since the AFPC/DPPPE advisory opinion recommends denial, SSB consideration is not warranted.

The AFPC/DPPPO evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

The applicant states that the fact that only 2 of 47 PRFs submitted by SAF/AQ to the P0601B board did not include a promotion statement makes that point compelling; that his record was ranked sixth of 14 IPZ eligible officers makes that point compelling.  He did not recognize the omission prior to the CSB and it is doubtful that he would have had access to the SAF/AQ board results prior to the release of the CSB due to the sensitive nature of the promotion process.  Two independent AFPC offices reviewed his record following the release of the P0601B and concluded that the omission of the definitely promote phrase in his PRF was the only oversight in his record.  AFPC/DPPPE is correct in stating that inclusion of the phrase is not required by regulation, but the advisory opinion does not address whether the phrase is important for serious promotion consideration.  Inclusion of the phrase is a material error in fact, but does not significantly alter the content of his PRF.  He notes that there is an SSB scheduled for 19 May 2003 and should the Board favorably consider his request, he submits a letter to AFPC waiving the 30-day notification requirement for SSB consideration.

The applicant’s complete response, with attachment, 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 error or injustice.  The senior rater has provided a statement indicating that the omission of a “Definitely Promote” statement on the contested PRF was a material error and his oversight.  The senior rater has reaccomplished the PRF by replacing the phrase, “Outstanding on all fronts,” with “Definitely promote this Board.”  The MRL President also provides a statement indicating that of the 47 PRFs submitted by the MLR to the selection board the applicant’s was one of only two that did not include either the words “promote” or “definitely promote,” which was not their intention.  In view of this, and given the statements from the senior rater and MRL President, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

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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:

	a.	The Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF), AF Form 709, prepared for the Calendar Year 2001B Central Colonel Selection Board be declared void and removed from his records.

	b.	The attached PRF containing the last sentence in Section IV, Promotion Recommendation, “Top 5% of officers known & my #1 for IPZ! Definitely promote this board--Send to SSS & make Grp CC,” be accepted for file in its place.

It is further recommended that his record, to include the attached PRF, be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001B Central Colonel Selection Board.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-00258 in Executive Session on 22 May 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 9 Jan 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPE, dated 4 Mar 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 20 Mar 03.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Apr 03.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 9 Apr 93 (sic), w/atch.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-00258

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 APPLICANT, be corrected to show that:

				a.	The Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF), AF Form 709, prepared for the Calendar Year 2001B Central Colonel Selection Board be, and hereby is, declared void and removed from his records.

				b.	The attached PRF containing the last sentence in Section IV, Promotion Recommendation, “Top 5% of officers known & my #1 for IPZ! Definitely promote this board--Send to SSS & make Grp CC,” be accepted for file in its place.

	It is further directed that his record, to include the attached PRF, be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001B Central Colonel Selection Board.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency

Attachment:
PRF, AF Form 709