RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00280
		INDEX CODE:  111.01

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board, with her Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, (MSM 2OLC) in her Officer Selection Record (OSR).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Her MSM 2OLC, for the period 5 Jun 00 to 27 Jun 02, was not in her OSR when she was considered by the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board.

In support of her request, applicant submits a statement from her commander and copies of the Special Order awarding her the MSM 2OLC and the citation to accompany the MSM 2OLC.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 5 Feb 83.  She is currently serving on active duty in the grade of lieutenant colonel, with an effective date and date of rank of 1 Jun 97.  She received six (6) Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) in the grade of lieutenant colonel, in which the overall evaluations were “Meets Standards.”  The OPR, closing 1 May 02, was the top report at the time she was considered and nonselected for promotion by the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board, which convened on 28 Oct 02.

Information maintained in the Personnel Data System (PDS) reveals that the applicant currently has an established date of separation of 31 May 03.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPO recommends the application be denied.  DPPPO disagrees with the applicant’s contention that her MSM 2OLC was missing from her Officer Selection Record (OSR) when it met the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board.  DPPPO states that, although the period of the decoration was through 27 Jun 02, the orders were not published until 22 Oct 02.  The governing Air Force instruction directs forwarding citations and special orders within 30 days of the date the special orders are published.  The medal was not required to be updated in the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) and on file in her record until 22 Nov 02.  As such, the decoration was not a matter of record at the time the cited selection board convened on 28 Oct 02.  The HQ AFPC/DPPPO evaluation is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 14 Mar 03 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).
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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 concerning the applicant’s request that she be given SSB consideration for promotion to the grade of colonel by the CY02A Colonel Selection Board, which convened on 28 Oct 02, with inclusion of the MSM 2OLC.  After reviewing the evidence presented, we are persuaded that the applicant may not have been fairly considered for promotion by the CY02A selection board.  In this respect, it appears that there was a delay in the processing of the cited award, which ultimately hindered awarding the MSM 2OLC and having it filed in the applicant’s selection record prior to the convening of the selection board.  It is the Board’s opinion that, since the applicant earned the award, it should have been available for the board’s review at the time she was considered for promotion.  While it cannot be conclusively determined what impact the omission of the award may have had on the applicant’s promotion opportunity, we believe any doubt in this case should be resolved in her favor.  Accordingly, we recommend that her record be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by an SSB for the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board, with the MSM 2OLC in her Officer Selection Record.
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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 Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, was accepted for file in her Officer Selection Record (OSR) on or before 28 October 2002; and, she be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board, with inclusion of the Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, in her OSR.
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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 29 Apr 03, 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 in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-00280.

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Jan 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 6 Mar 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Mar 03.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-00280

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 XXXXX be corrected to show that the Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, was accepted for file in her Officer Selection Record (OSR) on or before 28 October 2002; and, she be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the CY02A Central Colonel Selection Board, with inclusion of the Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, in her OSR.

		
                                     	Director
                                     	Air Force Review Boards Agency