RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01384
				INDEX CODE:  131.00

				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The citation for the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) for the period 19 May 1988 to 26 February 1992 be filed in his Officer Selection Record (OSR) and he be provided consideration by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2002B (CY02B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Prior to consideration for his in-the-zone promotion (IPZ) board, he was advised that a decoration was missing from his record.  On 20 October 2002, he faxed two copies of the citation and the accompanying special order to the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC).  He called AFPC and verified the copies were received and legible.  The special order and not the citation was filed in his OSR.  The omission of the citation in his OSR resulted in the Board not having access to his entire record.  This created a hole in his record, leaving the interpretation that something was missing from his record that he could have fixed and didn’t.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

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

Applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY02B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

Applicant’s OPR profile as a major is listed below.

			PERIOD ENDING		OVERALL EVALUATION

			  29 Feb 00		Meets Standards
			  24 Oct 00		Meets Standards
			  24 Oct 01		Meets Standards
			  24 Oct 02		Meets Standards

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPO states that based on AFI 36-3208, Military Personnel Records System, Table A2.1, Item 326, 1 July 1996, orders granting decorations may be filed and maintained when a like citation is not available; and therefore, the special order for the AFCM, which was filed in the applicant’s OSR was sufficient for the board members to review in the absence of the missing citation.

There is no clear evidence that the missing citation was a factor in the applicant’s nonselection, or if it negatively impacted his opportunity for promotion.  Central boards evaluate service members’ entire OSR.  The central boards consider the members' job performance, professional qualities, depth and breadth of experience, leadership, and academic and professional military education.  They also include in their assessment for promotion consideration promotion recommendation forms, officer performance reports, officer effectiveness reports, training reports, letters of evaluation, decorations and officer selection briefs.

DPPPO recommends denying the requested relief.

A copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR STAFF EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and states it is not enough for AFPC to file the citation in his personnel records because those records are not what met the promotion board.

When he learned of his nonselection, he requested AFPC/DPPBR obtain a copy of his records “as met” by the promotion board.  After receiving the copy of his records and reviewing them he noticed that the citation was missing.  In its place was the special order awarding the decoration.  

DPPPO misquoted AFI 36-3208.  The AFI 36-3208, Military Personnel Records System, Table A.2.1, Item 326, 14 May 03 states, 
“Maintain only when like citation is unavailable.”  In his case, AFPC did not file the citation in his OSR even though it was available.

Applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit E.

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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 warranting consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board.  After reviewing the evidence of record, we are persuaded the citation missing from the applicant's promotion records did not afford the applicant the same full and fair promotion consideration as other officers who were being considered for promotion by the board.  The applicant, in trying to ensure his promotion records were current for the promotion board, faxed a copy of the citation and special order to AFPC.  He then called and verified the fax was received and legible.  He was informed the documents were received and legible and would be placed in his folder and OSR for consideration by the CY02B Promotion Board.  However, due to an administrative shortfall, the citation was not placed in the applicant’s records, the special order was filed in its place.  In the opinion of the Board, the applicant exhibited due diligence to ensure his promotion record was error free before being presented to the promotion board.  In view of the foregoing, we believe the applicant suffered an injustice, as a result of the missing citation from his promotion records and this put him at a disadvantage before the promotion board.  While it cannot be conclusively determined whether or not the absence of the citation was the sole cause of the applicant's non-selection for promotion, we are persuaded that the omission of the citation deprived him of fair and equitable consideration for promotion.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant be afforded Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration by the CY02B lieutenant colonel central selection 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 for the Air Force Commendation  Medal  awarded  for  the  period 19  May  1988  to 26 February 1992, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2002 Central Lieutenant Colonel Board and for any subsequent boards which this citation was not a matter of record.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-01384 in Executive Session on 3 September 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Apr 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Officer Selection Record.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 9 Jun 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant’s Response, dated 3 Jul 03.

					

AFBCMR BC-2003-01384

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having reviewed and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction for 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 , to include the citation for the Air Force Commendation Medal awarded for the period 19 May 1988 to 26 February 1992, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2002B Central Lieutenant Colonel Board and for any subsequent boards which this citation was not a matter of record.