RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01775
				INDEX CODE:  131.00

				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration by the Calendar Year 2002B (CY02B) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board (CSB).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His Defense  Meritorious  Service  Medal (DMSM)  for the period 21 August 1999 to 1 July 2002 was reflected as being awarded for “Achievement” instead of “Meritorious Service” when his records met the Board, therefore giving the Board the impression that he was not given an award for a permanent change of station (PCS).  He also discovered when transferring to a Master’s Degree program in April 2003 that he had completed the requirements for BAC+ requirement in 1997.

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, but not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY02B and CY03A lieutenant colonel central selection boards.

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

			PERIOD ENDING		OVERALL EVALUATION

			 6 Jan 99		Meets Standards
			 6 Jan 00		Meets Standards
			 6 Jan 01		Meets Standards
			 6 Jan 02		Meets Standards
			 6 Jan 03		Meets Standards

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPO states the applicant submitted with his application a copy of the Virtual Military Personnel Flight (vMPF) Data Verification Brief and a Single Uniform Retrieval Format (SURF) reflecting the DMSM as being awarded for “Achievement.”  However, the applicant’s Officer Selection Brief (OSB) that was reviewed by the Board displayed the decoration, the year of the most recent award of the decoration and the number of awards for each decoration.  Therefore, the error reflected in the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) and vMPF reflected an error that was not reviewed by the selection board.

Concerning the applicant discovering he met the requirements for a bachelor’s plus update in 1997, they note that had he properly reviewed his records prior to the board, he would have discovered this oversight and could have had it corrected in a timely fashion prior to the board.  Furthermore, seeking an advanced degree does not guarantee the servicemember will be promoted.  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.

Based on the evidence presented, they recommend denial.

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

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR STAFF EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 26 September 2003, for review and response.  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.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record, we are not sufficiently persuaded that the applicant should be provided consideration for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2002B selection board.  The printout of the vMPF Data Verification Brief and SURF the applicant submitted with his application reflected his DMSM was awarded for achievement rather than PCS.  We note that the reason for the award is not indicated on the OSB that was reviewed by the selection board.  The OSB that was reviewed by the selection board reflected the decoration, the year of the decoration and the number of awards of that decoration (Decoration-DMSM, YR-2002, and NR AWD-1).  Thus, regardless of the error indicated on the vMPF Data Verification Brief, the reason for the award would not be a matter for consideration by the selection board.  In regard to the applicant’s discovery in April 2003, that he met the BAC+ requirement in 1997, we concur with the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility that if the applicant had properly reviewed his records prior to the selection board he would have discovered the omission and had it added to his records in a timely manner.  Furthermore, it is noted progression toward an advanced degree is not a guarantee of promotion.  We are aware that central boards evaluate the entire officer record, thus the applicant has not established that the lack of designation of progress toward a master’s degree was the sole cause of his nonselection by the CY02B 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-2003-01775 in Executive Session on 4 November 2003 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 May 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Officer Selection Brief.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 18 Sep 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Sep 03.

							Panel Chair