RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-02046
		INDEX CODE:  107.00, 131.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Air Force Achievement Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM 3OLC), covering the period 7-8 October 2001, and his Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM), covering the period 3 December 1998 to 12 April 1999, be included in the promotion process for the 02E7 cycle to master sergeant (E-7) (promotions effective August 2002 - July 2003).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

There is a disconnect between the USCENTAF Decoration Guidebook and the current Air Force Instruction (AFI) on decorations.  The USCENTAF Guidebook states that a Décor 6 is not required for submitting medals in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF), which is a direct disconnect with the AFI.  In April 2002, he was submitted for an Air Medal, which was downgraded in February 2003 by USCENTCOM to an AFAM.

During review of his Data Verification Record (DVR) for cycle 02E7 promotion testing, he noticed the JSCM decoration was missing.  He tried several times to correct his records through his local Military Personnel Flight (MPF) prior to competing for promotion; however, his records were not updated until February 2003.

The decorations should be considered for cycle 02E7 because the JSCM was never updated in the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) until February 2003 and the original request for the Air Medal (downgraded to the AFAM) was accomplished in April 2002, before promotion selections were made on 17 June 2002.  If these two medals had been updated in his records, he would have been awarded a line number for the rank of master sergeant (E-7).

In support of his request, applicant submits statements from his superiors, his supplemental promotion board reconsideration package, which includes a copy of the JSCM and AFAM, and additional documents associated with the issues cited in his contentions.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s Total Active Federal Military Service Date (TAFMSD) is 29 March 1984.  He is currently serving on active duty in the grade of technical sergeant (E-7), with an effective date and date of rank of 1 September 1998.

On 12 April 1999, the applicant was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal (JSCM) for meritorious service, from 3 December 1998 to 12 April 1999.

The applicant was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM 3OLC), by Special Order ----, dated 19 February 2003, for outstanding achievement during the period 7 October 2001 to 8 October 2001, effective at the termination of period covered.  The Request for Decoration Printout (RDP) date is 11 December 2002.

Information extracted from applicant’s submission reveals that a USCENTAF Form 1 (Air Medal and Aerial Achievement Medal Mission Information - Justification Sheet), dated 12 April 2002, was submitted recommending the applicant for award of the Air Medal (AM).  The applicant provided a copy of an AF Form 3994 (Recommendation for Decoration Deployment/Contingency Operations), unsigned and undated, recommending him for an AM for the period of 7-8 October 2001.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPWB recommends the application be denied.  DPPPWB states that the applicant’s total weighted promotion score for cycle 02E7 was 321.92 and the score required for selection in his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 325.55.  Once the applicant’s MPF updated the JSCM (worth three points) in MilPDS in February 2003, his score was 324.92 (.63 below the score required for selection).  If the AFAM (worth one point) were counted in the applicant’s total score, he would become a selectee for promotion, pending a favorable data verification check and the recommendation of his commander.  Promotion selections for this cycle were made on 17 June 2002.

DPPPWB states that there are two separate and distinct policies regarding the approval of a decoration and the credit of a decoration for promotion purposes.  Current Air Force promotion policy (AFI 36-2502) dictates that before a decoration is credited for a specific promotion cycle, the close out date of the decoration must be on or before the Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD), and the date of the DÉCOR-6, Request for Decoration Printout (RDP), or in this case the AF Form 3994, must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  The PECD for cycle 02E7 was 31 December 2001.  The original 
decoration submitted and placed into official channels on 11 December 2002 was for an Air Medal (AM), which was subsequently downgraded to an AFAM by the USCENTCOM Board and signed on 19 February 2003.  The AFAM does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during cycle 02E7 because it was not resubmitted and placed into official channels until well after selections were made on 7 June 2002.

DPPPWB indicates that the applicant became a select for promotion to the grade of master sergeant (E-7) during cycle 03E7 (promotions effective August 2003 - July 2004).  The HQ AFPC/DPPPWB evaluation is at Exhibit B.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to applicant on 18 July 2003 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit C).
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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.  The documentary evidence provided by the applicant was sufficient to convince us that the award in question should have been a part of his record prior to the 02E7 promotion cycle.  In this respect, applicant’s commander stated that, after discovering the applicant’s name was inadvertently left off the award list for his support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the award recommendation for the Humanitarian Relief Operation (HUMRO) Air Medal was reaccomplished in April 2002 and placed in official channels in a timely manner.  In addition, the statement from the chief enlisted manager indicated that the applicant was “caught in the middle of an administrative error between USCENTAF and AFI guidance and is being punished for the administrative disconnect.”  In view of the foregoing, we recommend that the applicant be afforded supplemental promotion consideration, with inclusion of the AFAM (3OLC).
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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 Air Force Achievement Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM 3OLC), awarded for the period 7‑8 October 2001, be considered for promotion to the grade of master sergeant by supplemental promotion consideration for cycle 02E7.

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-2003-02046 in Executive Session on 28 August 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 23 May 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 7 Jul 03.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 July 2003.

AFBCMR BC-2003-02046

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 to include the Air Force Achievement Medal, Third Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM 3OLC), awarded for the period 7‑8 October 2001, be considered for promotion to the grade of master sergeant by supplemental promotion consideration for cycle 02E7.

	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.