RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01736
		INDEX CODE:  131.01, 107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Air Force Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM/1OLC) for the period 9 October 1996 through 18 October 1999 be considered in the promotion process for cycle 01E7 to master sergeant. 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

On October 1999, his supervisor submitted him for an end-of-tour award.  The award package was sent to the orderly room, signed by the commander and sent to the military personnel flight (MPF) for completion.  MPF determined that he had received an Army Commendation Medal issued 7 October 1998, which covered the same period as the AFCM/1OLC.  He reassigned to Mildenhall AFB, and the MPF was unable to deconflict the Army award and his end-of-tour Air Force Commendation Medal.  As a result, the MPF declined to complete the award until a copy of the Army award was provided to ensure the two awards did not cover the same events and time period.  He states that the Army award covered periods ending in August 1995.

When the Cycle 01E7 promotion results were released in June 2001, he was informed of his selection for promotion to the grade of master sergeant.  However, an audit of his records indicated he was erroneously credited with too many award points and he missed the promotion cutoff score by less than 2 points.

He then discovered that the AFCM/1OLC had not been in his records and a new DÉCOR 6 was generated and signed by the squadron commander.  He was then told by promotions that since the DÉCOR-6 was dated 25 September 2001, the award could not be applied to his 01E7 promotion score because awards are required to be submitted prior to the selection date of 29 May 2001.

At this point he believes the promotions section was in error since IAW AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion Program Table 2.2 Note 2, “The decoration closeout date must be on or before the promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD).  The “prepared” date of the DÉCOR-6 Request for Decoration Printout (RDP) must be before the date AFPC makes the selection for promotion.”  The award closed out on 18 October 1999, which is 14 months prior to the PECD, and the RDP was 10 May 2001, which is 19 days prior to the selection date   (29 May 2001) for the 01E7 promotion cycle

The matter could have been resolved at that point by removing the promotion hold.  Instead, a non-selection notice was generated.

He then applied for supplemental promotion, which was denied.  After some discussion with personnel at the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), he again applied for supplemental promotion consideration but was denied.

In support of his request, the applicant submitted a personal statement, a copy of a recommendation for decoration, a copy of a Air Force Commendation Medal, first Oak Leaf Cluster Citation, a copy of special order SOG----, six letters of support, one email and a copy of his promotion score notice.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of Master Sergeant.  Applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of master sergeant by the 01E7 promotion cycle.  His total score was 329.68 and the score required for selection in his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 331.20.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPWB recommends denial.  They state that this decoration does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during cycle 01E7 because the original DÉCOR-6 was never signed by the commander nor placed into official channels.  The applicant’s commander did not date the second DÉCOR-6 that was used to approve the decoration; however, the applicant’s supervisor recommended award of the decoration on 24 July 2001.  Therefore, his commander could not have placed the DÉCOR-6 into official channels by the date selections were made on 29 May 2001.

After an extensive review of the circumstances of this case to include documentation, there is no conclusive evidence the decoration was placed into official channels prior to the date promotions were announced for cycle 01E7 and the applicant became aware that he had missed promotion by less than two points.  To approve this request would not be fair or equitable to many others in the same situation who miss promotion selection by a narrow margin and are not entitled to have an “after the fact” decoration count in the promotion process.  The applicant’s request to have the decoration included in the promotion process for this cycle as an exception to policy was disapproved twice by the Promotion Management Section at AFPC.

The DPPPWB complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

AFPC/DPPPR makes no recommendation.  According to the documentation provided by the applicant, a decoration package was not properly initiated until 10 May 2001, when the DÉCOR-6 that was signed and endorsed as required was submitted into official channels.  The burden of proof is on the applicant to substantiate his claim that an approved decoration package was in official channels prior to 10 May 2001, and he has not done so.  Since the decoration was processed within two years and awarded within three years of the act, service or accomplishment as required by AFI 36-2803, their office requires no action.

The DPPPR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 18 Jul 03, for review and comment within 30 days.  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 an error or injustice.  After reviewing the documentation submitted and in particular the letter from the applicant’s former commander we believe that the intent, direction, and desire of the applicant’s immediate chain of command was to have the award placed into proper channels in sufficient time to be considered in the 01E7 promotion cycle.  Since the actions performed were completed prior to selections, we believe the award should be considered in the promotion process for cycle 01E7.  In view of the above and in order to resolve any injustice to the applicant, we recommend that his records be corrected to the extent 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 Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP), for the award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), covering the period 9 October 1996 through 18 October 1999, was prepared on 30 October 2000 rather than 10 May 2001, and was signed by the commander on 31 October 2000, rather than 9 September 2001.

	It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 01E7, with the     AFCM/1OLC included in his record.

	If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the Board for a final determination on the individual’s qualifications for the promotion.

	  If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion, the records shall be corrected to show that he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-01736 in Executive Session on 21 October 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 09 May 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 26 Jun 03.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 19 Jun 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jul 03.

                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-01736

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, be corrected to show that the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP), for the award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), covering the period 9 October 1996 through 18 October 1999, was prepared on 30 October 2000 rather than 10 May 2001, and was signed by the commander on 31 October 2000, rather than 9 September 2001.

	It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 01E7, with the AFCM (1OLC) included in his record.

	If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the Board for a final determination on the individual’s qualifications for the promotion.

	If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion, the records shall be corrected to show that he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.

                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency