RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03589
		INDEX CODE:  102.07
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His record be corrected to reflect that he enlisted in the grade of E-3.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

AFRCI 36-2001 states that if an applicant enlists with 45 college hours the member will enlist in the grade of E-3.  He had completed 51 hours at the time of his enlistment.  However, his recruiter insisted that the 51-hour transcript he provided was not the proper form.

In support of his request, applicant provided a personal statement and his college transcript. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Data extracted from the Personnel Data System reflects that the applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserves on 31 Dec 02 in the grade of E-2.  He has been progressively promoted to the grade of E-3, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 Jan 04.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/DPM recommends denial.  DPM states that according to the AFRC Recruiting Service, the applicant submitted an official transcript upon his enlistment reflecting only 36 semester hours as of 24 Oct 02, which allowed him to enlist in the grade of E-2.  He was provided the option of delaying his enlistment until he could produce a transcript with the needed college hours to enlist as an E-3, but he decided to go ahead and enlist.  The DPM 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 the applicant on 19 Dec 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 an injustice.  In this respect, in accordance with the applicable directives, in order for the applicant to enlist in the grade of airman first class (E-3) it was required for him to have completed a minimum of 45 semester hours of college credit.  The applicant enlisted on 31 Dec 02.  The official transcript provided by the applicant reflects he had obtained a total of 51 semester hours after completion of the Fall 2002 semester.  Therefore, it appears he satisfactorily obtained the required credits prior to 31 Dec 02 in order to qualify for enlistment in the grade of E-3.  We are aware of the regulatory requirements for the member to provide the appropriate transcripts prior to enlistment.  However, we are likewise aware that educational institutions are not always able to provide transcripts in a timely manner, which appears evident in this particular case.  Accordingly, we believe the applicant has suffered an injustice and it is our opinion that his records should be corrected to reflect that he enlisted in the grade of E-3 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 on 31 December 2002, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in the grade of airman first class (E-3).

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-03589 in Executive Session on 4 Feb 04, 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 17 Jun 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFRC/DPM, dated 1 Dec 03.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Dec 03.

					

AFBCMR BC-2003-03589

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 that on 31 December 2002, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserves in the grade of airman first class (E-3).