RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00186
		INDEX CODE:  131.00, 107.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), Third Oak Leaf Cluster (3OLC), for the period 3 August 1997 to 27 February 2001, be upgraded to a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and he be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY03A (8 July 2003) Central Lieutenant Colonel Selection Board (P0503A).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been given an MSM for his service while stationed at Vandenberg AFB, as supported by three of his former commanders.  He was not given an MSM because he had previously received a AFCM during his assignment at Vandenberg AFB.  However, the AFCM was given for a heroic act.  A one-time event should not preclude him from receiving an MSM.  

He was not promoted to 0-5 (lieutenant colonel) and was subsequently told that a discriminating factor in his non-selection was not having an MSM in his records.  He has a strong record in Space and Missiles, having been a flight commander in missile, satellite, and spacelift squadrons.  He was designated as the “Distinguished Graduate” during satellite crew training.  Not receiving an MSM was a mistake; which has severely hurt his chances for promotion to lieutenant colonel.   

In support of his application, he provides supporting statements from his former commanders, a copy of his military resume, copies of his Officer Performance Reports for the period beginning 16 June 1997 and ending 28 January 2001, and copies of his AFCM 2 and 3 Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) citations.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Information extracted from the Personnel Data System (PDS) indicates the applicant’s Total Active Federal Military Service Date as 6 November 1988.  He is currently serving on active duty in the grade of major, with a date of rank of 1 December 1999.  As of 3 May 2004, the PDS reflects the AFCM (3 OLC) awarded 27 February 2001.

The applicant’s OSB contains AF Forms 707B, Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) beginning with the rating period 16 June 1997 and ending on 21 December 2002 with overall ratings of “Meets Standards.”  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPR recommends the application be denied.  DPPPR states that the applicant accepted the AFCM 3 OLC as an appropriate decoration for his performance of duty at Vandenberg AFB until he was non-selected for promotion.  He has not exhausted his administrative channels nor provided any supporting statements from his official chain of command during the period the recommendation package was submitted.  DPPPR states that the level of decoration is determined in accordance with an individual’s performance of work and not solely for promotion purposes.  The AFPC/DPPPR evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

DPPPO states that the applicant has one nonselection to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the P0503A board and based on AFPC/DPPPR evaluation, they recommend denial for SSB consideration.  The AFPC/DPPPO evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were sent to the applicant on 9 April 2004.  As of this date, this office has not received a 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 reviewing the available evidence of record, we are not persuaded that he has been the victim of an error or injustice.  His contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find the evidence provided sufficient to override the assessment provided by the Air Force.  Despite the support he receives from his former commanders, evidence has not been presented which would lead us to believe that the officials who recommended and approved the award of the AFCM, rather than an MSM, to the applicant acted inappropriately in deciding what type of medal was warranted or that their decisions represented an abuse of discretionary authority in making that decision.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Likewise, since we have determined favorable consideration of the applicant’s request that his award be upgraded is not appropriate, his request for a Special Selection Board on this basis is also not favorably considered.  

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable 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 11 May 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 Jan 04, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPR, dated 20 Feb 04.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 1 Apr 04.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Apr 04.

                                  Panel Chair