RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-02039
		INDEX CODE:  131.01, 107.00
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His Officer Selection Record (OSR) and Officer Selection Brief (OSB) were incomplete when reviewed by the CY02B Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board.  His records did not reflect his Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Second Oak Leaf Cluster (20LC), for the period 22 July 2000 to 10 September 2002 and two Army Commendation Medals (ARCOM), for the periods covering 13 May 2002 to 9 August 22002 and 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002.

In support of his request, the applicant submitted a copy of the Meritorious Service Medal Citation, a copy of Special Order for award of the Meritorious Service Medal, a copy of ARCOM citation from XXth Mountain Division, and a copy of ARCOM Citation from XXst Brigade, XXth Infantry Division.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on extended active duty in the grade of major.  Applicant was considered and not selected for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY02 selection board that convened on 12 November 2002. 

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommends partial approval.  DPPPO recommends approval of the applicant’s request for SSB consideration by the P0502B board with the inclusion of the two missing ARCOMs with close out dates of 2 August 2002 and 30 September 2002, since the orders were completed prior to the board convening date.

DPPO recommends his request to include the MSM, 2OLC, in the SSB consideration be denied.  The MSM, 2OLC, with a close out date of 10 September 2002 and special order dated 16 May 2003, was not filed in his record due to an inordinate approval process.  With a 16 May 2003 order date, the citation would not have been included in his selection record nor would it be reflected in the personnel data systems at the time the board convened.  For the purposes of including this decoration in a promotion board that convened on 12 November 2002, the decoration did not yet exist.

The DPPPO complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 17 Oct 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 thoroughly reviewing the complete case file, the Board noted that the applicant’s Officer Selection Record and Officer Selection Brief did not contain and reflect the award of two Army Commendations and a second Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).  It is the Board’s opinion that while his MSM was accomplished in accordance with the time limitations prescribed in the applicable regulations, it did take an inordinate amount of time to be approved.  In this respect, we note that the processing of the award in question started in July 2002 and was not approved until May 2003.  While the Board cannot determine what impact these omissions would have had on the outcome of the CYO2B Lieutenant Colonel Central Board, the board is persuaded that they deprived him of full and fair consideration.  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 Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 22 July 2000 to 10 September 2002, was approved on 11 November 2002, rather than 16 May 2003, and was filed in his officer selection folder on ll November 2002

It is further directed that his record, to include the above reference MSM, the Army Commendation Medal, for the period 13 May 2002 to 9 August 2002, and the Army Commendation Medal, for the period 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2002B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-02039 in Executive Session on 10 December 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 30 May 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 24 Sep 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Oct 03.

AFBCMR BC-2003-02039

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 Meritorious Service Medal, Second Oak Leaf Cluster, for the period 22 July 2000 to 10 September 2002, was approved on 11 November 2002, rather than 16 May 2003, and was filed in his officer selection folder on 11 November 2002.  

It is further directed that his record, to include the the above referenced MSM, the Army Commendation Medal awarded for the period 13 May 2002 to 9 August 2002, and the Army Commendation Medal, for the period 1 October 2001 to 30 September 2002, be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2002B Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board.