RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  BC-2003-02110
		INDEX CODE 131.00
	 	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His projected promotion to staff sergeant (SSgt) while on active duty be carried over with his transfer to the Reserves with an effective and date of rank (DOR) of 1 Oct 02.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was selected for promotion to SSgt while on active duty. A recruiter told him his transfer to the Reserves would not affect promotion. Shortly after performing duty with his Reserve unit, he was told his promotion was “in the works.” He has since learned his status as a trainee prohibits his promotion until he achieves a 3-level Control Air Force Specialty Code (CAFSC) in his new AFSC. Since the active duty does not prohibit enlisted promotions solely on the basis of being a trainee, he did not believe his retraining into a new AFSC in the Reserves would limit his promotion. He understands he will not be promotable until 1 Mar 04.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

HQ AFPC/DPPPWB confirmed via email that the applicant was selected for promotion to SSgt by cycle 02E5 while on active duty.

HQ AFRC/DPMB advised the AFBCMR Staff via email that there are no provisions for an individual with a promotion line number to be accessed into the Reserves at the higher grade. The Reserve promotion system is based on vacancies and individuals are gained based on open vacancies, not on their current/projected grade. For example, a technical sergeant (TSgt) may enter the Reserves as a SSgt because there are no other vacancies. The applicant should have been promoted soon after entering the Reserves since he was assigned to a SSgt position; however, because he retrained and did not possess the necessary skill level for promotion, he was rendered ineligible. Assuming his commander approves, the applicant will be promoted upon completion of his technical training school.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPMB advises that enlisted personnel who are projected for promotion while on active duty do not carry that projected promotion to the Air Force Reserve. The applicant is currently retraining into another career field and does not have the necessary skill in his AFSC to be promoted at this time. Upon completion of technical school, his commander may promote him upon return to his unit. Denial is recommended.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 1 Aug 93 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.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded that his active duty projected promotion should be transferred to the Reserve. The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find these assertions, in and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force. Enlisted personnel who are projected for promotion while on active duty do not carry that projected promotion to the Air Force Reserve. The Reserve promotion system is based on vacancies and individuals are gained based on open vacancies, not on their current/projected grade. Further, the applicant currently does not have the necessary skill level in his AFSC to be promoted at this time. We therefore agree with the recommendations of the Air Force and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of having suffered either an error or an injustice. In view of the above and absent persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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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 this application in Executive Session on 23 September 2003 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-02110 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 18 Jun 03, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Letter, HQ AFRC/DPM, dated 15 Jul 03.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Aug 03.