RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03178

				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Officer Performance Report (OPR) for the period 5 May 2001 through 4 May 2002 be declared void and replaced with the revised OPR and he receive Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration for promotion to the grade of colonel by the CY02B Central Colonel Selection Board along with the corrected 4 May 1999 OPR approved by the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Due to an administrative error, the bottom line in block VI from the 4 May 2001 OPR at attachment 5 was entered in the 4 May 2002 OPR.  Per the rater’s statement at attachment 6 and additional rater’s statement at attachment 7, the existing OPR is incorrect.  Contrary to the ERAB decision at attachment 8, he could not have attempted to correct this error prior to the line board, because he did not discover the error until a records review with AFPC on      17 April 2003.  Also, per the rater and additional rater statements, the existing line is not an accurate assessment and appropriate recommendation.  The rater and additional rater considered him their top officer but an administrative error prevented the line board from seeing this and the Detachment Chief leadership position reflected in the ERAB approved the new May 1999 OPR.  

In support of the applicant’s appeal, he submits a copy of the contested OPR, a copy of the revised OPR, letters from the ERAB, and letters of support from the rating chain

Applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on extended active duty in the grade of lieutenant colonel.

The applicant has one nonselection to the grade of colonel by the CY02B Central Colonel Selection Board.

On 12 August 2003, the applicant submitted an appeal to the Evaluation Report Appeals Board (ERAB) to replace the 4 May 1999 OPR. His request was approved by the ERAB; however, the request for an SSB was not approved.

On 19 August 2003, the applicant submitted an appeal to replace the 4 May 2002 OPR to the ERAB and the board denied his request. He contends the push line in block VI is identical to that of the previous year’s report. 

Applicant’s OPR profile since 1998 indicates "Meets Standards".

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPE recommended denial and states no factual error exists in the OPR and it is not apparent the member exercised due diligence to correct the OPR prior to the central selection board. Regardless of rating chain support, it would be unfair to other AF members to afford the applicant a second look under these circumstances. 

The applicant states he could not have attempted to correct this error prior to the central selection board meeting.  The applicant never states why he did not or could not correct this error prior to the board.  Every officer meeting a central selection board is afforded the opportunity to conduct a records review and are given instructions via officer preselection briefs approximately 100 days prior to the board.  A report is not erroneous because it affects a member’s promotion opportunity.

Also, the rating chain states the existing line is not an accurate assessment or appropriate recommendation.  However, nothing was provided from the rating chain stating why they signed the report with the original bullet if they intended another.  While it may be a fact that the line on the two reports is the same, the rating chain does not indicate the statement is not a factual, accurate assessment.  After reviewing the reports, the rating chain may have discovered the two like bullets but when they accomplished the report, the bullet was sufficient for them to sign the report and forwarded it for promotion consideration.  

AFPC/DPPPE complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPPO concur with the findings in the AFPC/DPPPE advisory and since that advisory recommends denial, SSB consideration is not warranted.  

AFPC/DPPPO complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. 

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force Evaluations and stated prior to his primary central selection board, he accomplished what he considered at the time to be very comprehensive review of his record.  The instructions given to him via his preselection brief did not provide guidance on, and it never occurred to him to check for, word for word identical lines in sequential OPRs indicating an administrative error.  He was made aware of this error during his formal nonselection brief with a senior career personnel officer assigned to AFPC.  Upon discovery of the error, he immediately contacted both officers in the rating chain and they both confirmed the line in question was a pure administrative error.  The rating chain, being the final step in the internal review of the final document simply did not catch the error prior to signing the OPR.  This entire request boils down to him requesting correction of an error discovered and relayed by AFPC.  

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit F.

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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.  In support of his contention, the applicant provided credible evidence from his rating chain, which has led us to believe that the contested OPR did not accurately portray their assessment of his promotion potential.  Given the unequivocal support from the senior Air Force officers involved, and having no reason to doubt their integrity in this matter, we believe that the contested OPR should be declared void and replaced with a corrected OPR, and that he should be considered by SSB for promotion to the grade of colonel.  Therefore, in view of the above findings, 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:

a.	The AF Form 707A, Field Grade Officer Performance Report (OPR), rendered for the period 5 May 2001 through 4 May 2002, be declared void and removed from his records.

b.	The attached AF Form 707A, Field Grade Officer Performance Report (OPR), rendered for the period 5 May 2001 through 4 May 2002, reflecting in Section VI, last line “Pinanacle Lt Col in Det... he will dazzle” be accepted for file in its place.

It is further recommended that he be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the CY02B Central Colonel Selection Board and for any subsequent boards in which the above correction was not a matter of record.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-03178 in Executive Session on 31 March 2004, 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 Forms 149, dated 15 Sep 03 w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPE, dated 21 Oct 03.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 20 Nov 03.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 26 Nov 03.
   Exhibit F.  Letter, Applicant, dated 16 Dec 03.

                                       

AFBCMR BC-2003-03178 

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;

a.	The AF Form 707A, Field Grade Officer Performance Report (OPR), rendered for the period 5 May 2001 through 4 May 2002, be declared void and removed from his records.
b.	The attached AF Form 707A, Field Grade Officer Performance Report (OPR), rendered for the period 5 May 2001 through 4 May 2002, reflecting in Section VI, last line “Pinanacle Lt Col in Det…….he will dazzle” be accepted for file in its place.

	It is further directed that he be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board for the CY02B Central Colonel Selection Board and for any subsequent boards in which the above correction was not a matter of record.