RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-01103

	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His records, to include the Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM, 1 OLC) awarded for the period 10 September 1998 to 31 July 2001, be considered for promotion by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2002B (CY02B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Despite the fact that he made every effort to ensure his records were correct prior to the CY02B board, the citation to accompany the award of his most recent MSM was missing from his selection folder at the time it was considered by the board.

The applicant states that he ensured his local Military Personnel Flight (MPF) had the correct decoration and that his Officer Preselection Brief (OPB) indicated it was part of his record.  As such, the missing citation gave the board an incorrect perception of his performance at his previous duty station, which was critical to his promotion consideration.

In support of the appeal, the applicant submits a copy of the orders and citation to accompany award of the MSM, 1 OLC.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of major.

Headquarters --st Mission Support Squadron (USAFE) special order ---, dated 6 August 2001, awarded him the MSM, 1 OLC, for outstanding non-combat meritorious service during the period 10 September 1998 to 31 July 2001.

He was considered below-the-promotion-zone (BPZ) and not selected for promotion by the Calendar Year 2002B (CY02B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board that convened on 12 November 2002.  The Officer Selection Brief (OSB) reviewed by the CY02B board listed the MSM, 1 OLC, awarded in 2001; however, a copy of the certificate/citation was not in his Officer Selection Record (OSR).

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that although a copy of the citation was missing from his OSR when it met the CY02B board, the decoration was indicated on his OSB.  The purpose of having a copy of the citation available to board members is not to allow them to review the comments on the citation, but to make them aware of the level of the decoration.  The majority of the accomplishments mentioned on his citation were also reflected on his Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) for that time period.  Although the citation was not present in his OSR for the board’s review, they had his entire OSR at their disposal, including the OSB reflecting the decoration.  As such, they are not convinced the absence of the citation from the OSR caused his nonselection for promotion.

The AFPC/DPPPO evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 2 May 2003 for review and response within 30 days.  However, as of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 probable error or injustice to warrant providing the applicant consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by an SSB for the CY02B Lt Col board, with the citation to accompany the MSM, 1 OLC, a matter of record.  In this respect, a majority of the Board notes that on 6 August 2001, the applicant was awarded the MSM, 1 OLC.  Although the decoration was reflected on his Officer Selection Brief (OSB) reviewed by the CY02B Lt Col board, a copy of the citation was not filed in his records.  While it cannot be conclusively determined whether or not the absence of the MSM, 1 OLC, citation was the sole reason for his nonselection for promotion by the CY02B Lt Col board, a majority of the Board believes that it served to deprive him of fair and equitable consideration.  Therefore, a majority of the Board recommends his records, to include the citation to accommpany the MSM, 1 OLC, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by an SSB for the CY02B Lt Col Board.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, to include the citation to accompany the award of the Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded for the period 10 September 1998 to 31 July 2001, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2002B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-01103 in Executive Session on 17 September 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

By majority vote, the Board voted to correct the records, as recommended.  Ms. Gordon recommended the application be denied but does not wish to submit a Minority Report.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 21 Mar 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 23 Apr 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 May 03.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-01103

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, to include the citation to accompany the award of the Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, awarded for the period 10 September 1998 to 31 July 2001, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2002B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

                                                                            
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency