RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03148
INDEX CODE:  131.03
	XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX			COUNSEL: NONE

	XXXXXXXXXXXXXX				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

She be promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant (MSgt) (E-7) effective 1 May 2003.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was told to disenroll from the Professional Military Education (PME) course, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), when she transferred to a new unit of attachment.  After attempting to re-enroll in the course at her new unit, she was informed that because she chose to disenroll, she would have to wait one year before she could repeat the course.  She enrolled again after waiting a year and was sent course materials.  After completing the course and passing the tests, she submitted her package for promotion to the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) to be considered for promotion to MSgt.  ARPC notified her that she was not qualified because she had mistakenly been enrolled in and completed the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (SNCOA) course instead of the required NCOA and was referred to the ARPC Promotions Section.  The Promotion Section told her that as long as she had completed a higher-level course (SNCOA) she did not have to go back to complete NCOA.  She was instructed to write a note to the Promotion Board explaining the situation.  Later, when her name did not appear on the MSgt promotion list she contacted ARPC again and was told she was not selected because her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) card had expired.  She explained she had already submitted paperwork to renew her EMT card, so ARPC told her if she could get the renewed card to ARPC before 1 July 2002, she would be selected for promotion.  She took steps to ensure the EMT card was there prior to the deadline.  ARPC then informed her that there was still a problem with her not taking the NCOA course.  She was instructed to contact the Education and Training Office and was told again that she could be promoted because she had taken the higher-level PME.  She contacted ARPC after 4 July 2002 after discovering that her paperwork was not processed for promotion.  The Education and Training Office told her that they had given her the wrong information and that she could not be promoted without the completion of NCOA.  She was told her only option was to apply to the BCMR.  

She has been given a lot of bad information concerning her eligibility for promotion.  However, she is not totally blaming everyone else.  She admits she failed to notice that the course she completed was the SNCOA instead of NCOA.  Taking the course may have been her mistake; however, passing the course was not.  She feels she is deserving of promotion to MSgt and wishes the BCMR to consider her case.

In support of her application, she provides a personal statement.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant’s military personnel records were not provided.  The Military Personnel Database (MilPDS) indicates the applicant is currently serving in the rank of technical sergeant (TSgt) (E‑6) with a date of rank of 2 November 1996 and assigned to a MSgt (E-7) authorization as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) Reservist.  MilPDS indicates the applicant has 13 years of satisfactory federal military service as of 18 March 2003.  She is serving as a medical services technician.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPB recommends denial of the applicant’s request.  DPB states that the applicant was enrolled in the PME course, SNCOA, in error while serving as a technical sergeant. AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion Program, Table 4.2, Rule 6, states the required level of PME for promotion to master sergeant is NCOA.  The applicant has not completed this course.  The confusion concerning promotion with completion of SNCOA is based on an exception listed in Table 4.2, Note 8, which states:  “Do not promote an enlisted member to MSgt unless they complete NCOA.  EXCEPTION:  If the airman satisfactorily serves in a higher grade and completes SNCOA course requirement.”  The applicant completed SNCOA; however, it does not appear that she ever served in a grade higher than technical sergeant.  DPB’s states that while it is commendable that the applicant completed a more senior PME course, she does not meet the requirements of AFI 36-2502 by completing the appropriate level of PME.  The DPB evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force Evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 3 October 2003, 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 injustice warranting corrective action.  After reviewing the evidence presented, we are of the opinion that approval of the requested relief is appropriate.  We note the repeated misinformation the applicant was given concerning her eligibility for promotion to MSgt.  Through no fault of her own, the applicant was sent the SNCOA Correspondence Course instead of the NCOA Correspondence Course.  After completing the course, she was told more than once that she could be promoted because she had completed a higher-level PME.  Through good faith, she complied with other promotion requirements, when requested of her, to complete her eligibility.  In light of the above, we believe the applicant has been the victim of an injustice and recommend that she be promoted as an exception to policy.  Therefore, her records should be corrected as 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; she was promoted to the Reserve grade of master sergeant, effective and with a date of rank of 1 May 2003.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 20 November 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03148 was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 Sep 03 w/atch.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, ARPC/DPB, dated 29 Sep 03.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Oct 03.

                                  

AFBCMR BC-2003-03148

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 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that she was promoted to the Reserve grade of master sergeant (E-7), effective and with a date of rank of 1 May 2003.