RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01976
		INDEX NUMBER:  131.00
	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  None

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The following awards be included in his officer selection record (OSR) reviewed by the Calendar Year (CY) 2002B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board:

	    a.  Air Medal awarded for the period 8 Jun through 6 Aug 02.

	    b.  Aerial Achievement Medal awarded for the period 18 Jun through 9 Sep 02.

	    c.  Air Force Commendation Medal awarded for the period   11 Jun through 11 Sep 02.

He be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by special selection board (SSB) for the CY02B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The promotion selection board did not have a full and accurate picture of his contributions to the nation and Air Force.  Inclusion of the missing decorations will provide a more accurate picture of his service.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of the special orders for each award.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty in the Air Force on 10 Feb 88.  He is presently serving on active duty in the grade of major.  His last ten officer performance reports (OPR) reflect overall ratings of “meets standards.”  The applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY02B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommends denial of the applicant’s requests.  The approval of an award is announced by the publishing of special orders.  The orders serve as the source document for updating the Military Personnel Data System.  The special orders for each of the awards the applicant wants included in his OSR for the CY02B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board were published sometime in 2003, after the date the board convened.  Consequently, the citations were not included in his OSR nor reflected in any of the official personnel data systems.  For the purpose of the CY02B board, which convened on 12 Nov 02, the decorations did not exist.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant initially responded to the Air Force evaluation by requesting the temporary withdrawal of his application.  In a letter, dated 15 Jun 04, the applicant requested that his case be processed.  The applicant references AFI 36-2803, paragraph 3.4.2, that the effective date of all decorations is the closing date of the service period recognized regardless of the order date.  His decorations, therefore, existed prior to his promotion board convening.  In further support of his appeal, the applicant provides a letter of support from his group commander.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit G.

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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.  The applicant notes that AFI 36-2803, paragraph 3.4.2 states that the effective date of all decorations is the closing date of the service period, regardless of the order date and concludes that his decorations did exist prior to his promotion board.  While we agree that the period of the service did take place before the promotion board, we do not agree that the decorations existed.  A decoration does not exist officially until it is awarded per a special order.  Clearly in this case the special orders were not published until well after the applicant’s promotion board.  As such there was no error in the awards not being included in the applicant’s OSR.  We note that recommendations for decorations must be entered into official channels within two years of the act, achievement, or service performed and awarded within three.  Given these guidelines, we find it reasonable that every decoration awarded will not necessarily be included in the OSR for every promotion board that might convene after the close out date of the award.  The applicant has not presented evidence of efforts, if any, made by his chain of command to get the decorations processed and included in his OSR prior to the date of the promotion board.  Such evidence might support a basis that omission of the awards from his OSR constituted an injustice.  However, in the absence of such evidence, 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 Docket Number BC-2003-01976 in Executive Session on 18 August 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Jun 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPO, undated.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Oct 03.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 14 Nov 03.
    Exhibit F.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 24 Nov 03.
    Exhibit G.  Letter, Applicant, dated 15 Jun 04, w/atchs.