RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00443
		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 major by the Calendar Year 2002 (CY02B) Central Major Selection Board, with inclusion of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The AFCM (1OLC) should have been included in his officer selection record (OSR).  Had it been included, he believes he would have had a stronger, more competitive record.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided copies of the AFCM (OLC) citation and special order.

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 3 Feb 97.  His Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 18 May 81.

Applicant's OER/OPR profile since 1994 follows:

	PERIOD ENDING	EVALUATION

	 2 Feb 94	Meets Standards
	 2 Feb 95	Meets Standards
	 2 Feb 96	Meets Standards
	 2 Feb 97	Meets Standards
	12 Nov 97	Meets Standards
	21 Sep 98	Meets Standards
	21 Jun 99	Meets Standards
	21 Jun 00	Meets Standards
	19 Apr 01	Meets Standards
  #  19 Apr 02	Meets Standards

# Top Report when considered and nonselected by the CY02B Major Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommended denial indicating that they disagree with the applicant’s contention that his AFCM (1OLC), was missing from his OSR when it met the CY02B board.  Although the period of the decoration was through 25 Jul 02, the orders were not published until 30 Jan 03.  Thus, his record did not contain the citation, nor was it reflected in the Military Personnel Data System (Mi1PDS) for the CY02B board.  As directed in AFI 36-2803, paragraph 3.1, the applicant’s rating chain has up to two years to submit a recommendation for decoration after the service was performed.  For purposes of including this decoration in a board that convened on 3 Oct 02, the decoration did not yet exist.  Furthermore, AFI 36-2803, Table 3.1, note 5, directs forwarding citations and special orders within 30 days of the date the special orders are published.  The decoration was not required to be updated in MilPDS and on file in his record, until 1 Mar 03.  As such, the decoration was not a matter of record at the time the CY02B board convened on 3 Oct 02.

According to AFPC/DPPPO, each officer eligible for promotion consideration is advised of the entitlement to communicate with the board president.  The applicant could have used this means to inform the board president of the accomplishments covered in his AFCM (1OLC).  However, they have verified that the applicant elected not to exercise this entitlement.

A complete copy of the 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 28 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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  The applicant's complete submission was thoroughly reviewed and his contentions were duly noted.  However, we do not find the applicant’s assertions and the documentation presented in support of his appeal sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR).  We note that the AFCM (1OLC) was not required to be filed in the applicant’s OSR when he was considered for promotion by the CY02B Central Major Selection Board.  Furthermore, we find no evidence that there was any attempt by the applicant’s superiors to ensure the decoration’s inclusion in his record prior to the convening of the CY02B board.  In view of the foregoing, and in the absence of sufficient evidence to the contrary, we adopt the Air Force rationale and conclude that no basis exists to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-00443 in Executive Session on 27 May 03, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 30 Jan 02, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 14 Mar 03, 
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 28 Mar 03.

                                   
                                   Chair