RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00713
		INDEX CODE:  131.01

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His record include the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for the period 28 August 1996 to 28 June 2002 and he be considered by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2002 (CY02) Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The MSM was missing from his record when it met the CY02 selection board.  He contends that had the medal been included in his package before the board, the board would have scored his record higher.

In support of his appeal, applicant has provided a copy of the special order awarding him the MSM and a copy of the citation to accompany the award.

His complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant is currently serving on extended active duty in the grade of major.  He was considered but not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY02 Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.  The contested MSM was not in his record when considered by the CY02 Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO reviewed this application and recommended denial.  They state that the decoration was not a matter of record at the time the board convened on 12 November 2002.  While the applicant believes the award should have been included, DPPPO states that the promotion order was not published until 14 November 2002 (2 days after the Board convened), and was not present in the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) at the time the Board convened.  By regulation, update of the award in MilPDS did not have to occur until, but not later than, 14 December 2002.  Therefore, at the time the Board convened, the award, officially was not a matter of record.

DPPPO’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 18 April 2003 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility that the contested award was not required to be a matter of record when he was considered for promotion by the CY02 board.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis 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-2003-00713 in Executive Session on 1 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Feb 03, w/atchs. 
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 14 Apr 03.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Apr 03.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair