RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00458
		INDEX NUMBER:  131.00
	XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  None

	XXX-XX-XXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

It appears the applicant is requesting he be considered for promotion to major by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the calendar year 2002B (CY02B) Central Major Selection Board with the following citations included in his officer selection record (OSR):

	  a.  Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), Basic, for the period 21 Apr 99 to 5 Sep 99.

	  b.  AFCM, First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), for the period     20 Jan 98 to 1 Feb 00.

	  c.  Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM), 1OLC, for the period 1 Apr 98 to 28 Apr 98.

The applicant indicates that his officer selection brief (OSB) was incorrect.  However, his OSB contains all of the awards referenced above.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He reviewed and verified his records by phone with AFPC/DPPBR personnel at least 45 days before the CY02B Central Major Promotion Board convened.  He also reviewed and verified his records in person with his servicing military personnel flight (MPF) during the same timeframe.  Although he took these precautions, the selection brief that appeared before the board lacked relevant information for awards and decorations.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is serving on active duty in the grade of captain.  His Total Active Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 4 Feb 94.  A review of the Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) filed in his records indicate overall ratings of “meets standards.”  He was considered and not selected for promotion to major by the CY02B Central Major Promotion Selection Board.

Additional relevant facts pertaining to this application are found in the evaluation prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force found at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request.  They agree that the citations referenced by the applicant were missing from his OSR.  However, the purpose of having a citation included in the record is not to allow board members to review the comments on the citation, although they may do so if they desire.  Rather, the purpose is to make them aware of the level of the decoration.  The Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS), and consequently the OSB did reflect that the AFCM, Basic, the AFCM, 1OLC, and the AFAM, 1OLC, had been awarded to the applicant.

Central boards evaluate the entire OSR, assessing whole person factors such as job performance, professional qualities, depth and breadth of experience, leadership, and academic and professional military education.  Additionally, a discrepancy letter filed in the OSR indicated to the promotion board that there were three missing citations, and the level of the medals.

The complete 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 the applicant on 14 Mar 03 for review and comment within 30 days.  To date, a response has not been received.

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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 Board notes that AFPC/DPPP indicates that the purpose of including a citation in the record is not to allow promotion board members to review the comments on the citation, although they may do so if they are so inclined.  However, when the citations are missing, as in this case, the promotion board is deprived of this option.  While it cannot be stated with certainty that the missing citations adversely impacted the applicant’s promotion opportunity, we believe that the element of doubt created should be resolved in the applicant’s favor, especially since it appears that he exercised reasonable diligence to ensure that his records were correct.  Therefore, we recommend that the applicant’s records be corrected as 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 the citations for the following decorations were accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record on or before 30 September 2002:

	a.  Air Force Commendation Medal, Basic, for the period   21 April 1999 to 5 September 1999.

	b.  Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 20 January 1998 to 1 February 2000.

	c.  Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 1 April 1998 to 28 April 1998.

It is further recommended that he be considered for promotion to the grade of major by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY02B (3 October 2002) Central Major Selection Board with the corrected record.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-00458 in Executive Session on 4 June 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 1 Feb 03, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPP, dated 4 Mar 03.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Mar 03.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-00458

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 XXXXXXXXXXX, XXX-XX-XXXX, be corrected to show that the citations for the following decorations were accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record on or before 30 September 2002:

		a.  Air Force Commendation Medal, Basic, for the period   21 April 1999 to  5 September 1999.

		b.  Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period  20 January 1998 to 1 February 2000.

		c.  Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 1 April 1998 to 28 April 1998.

             It is further directed that he be considered for promotion to the grade of major by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY02B (3 October 2002) Central Major Selection Board with the corrected record.

		
		Director
		Air Force Review Boards Agency