RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00187
		INDEX NUMBER:  131.00
		COUNSEL:  None

		HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM) (1OLC)), that he was awarded for the period 25 Apr 00 to 1 Apr 03, be included in his officer selection record (OSR) for the Calendar Year 2003A (CY03A) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board.

The Air Force Commendation Medal, Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM) (4OLC)), that he was awarded for the period 16 Apr 03 to 17 Jul 03, be included in his OSR for the CY03A Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board.

He be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by special selection board (SSB) for the CY03A Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board with the corrected record.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Significant delays occurred in the processing of his MSM, 1OLC, and AFCM, 4OLC, due to administrative errors.

The omission of the two awards from his records prevented the promotion board from making an accurate evaluation of his performance and promotion potential.

In support of his appeal, the applicant submits a personal brief explaining the sequence of events, which led to the delay in the processing of his awards, and letters of explanation and justification from his rating chain.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered active duty in the Air Force on 27 Oct 88.  His last ten Officer Performance Reports (OPRs) all indicate overall ratings of “meets standards” (officers either meet or do not meet standards).  The applicant has one nonselection for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by the CY03A (8 Jul 03) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPO recommends denial of the applicant’s requests.  Although the closing dates of the MSM, 1OLC and AFCM, 4OLC, are before the CY03A promotion board convened, the special orders awarding the applicant these decorations were published after the board had convened.

The complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 Mar 04 for review and comment within 30 days.  To date, a response has not been received.

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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 error or injustice.  The Board is persuaded that the applicant made reasonable efforts to get the referenced awards included in his OSR for the CY03A Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board.  In that regard, we note that he has the support of his rating chain.  Although the awards may have been processed within the required timeframe specified in governing directives, it appears that efforts to expedite the awards were thwarted by the operations tempo of the applicant’s unit.  While we have no way of knowing what impact the missing decorations had on the applicant’s promotion opportunity, we believe that he should have the opportunity to be considered with the decorations included in his OSR.  Therefore, we recommend that the applicant’s records 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:

	  a. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM (1OLC)), for the period 25 April 2000 to 1 April 2003, on 1 July 2003 vice 17 November 2003, and it was accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record on 1 July 2003.

	  b.  He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM) (4OLC)), for the period 16 April 2002 to 17 April 2002, on 1 July 2003 vice 20 August 2003, and it was accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record on 1 July 2003.

	  c. The citation for the AFCM (4OLC) be corrected to reflect the period 16 April 2002 to 17 July 2002 vice 16 April 2003 to 17 July 2003.

It is further recommended that he be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY03A (8 Jul 03) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board and any subsequent boards for which the above awards were not a matter of record.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-00187 in Executive Session on 1 June 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 Form 149, dated 9 Jan 04, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 2 Mar 04.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Mar 04.

                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2004-00187

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. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (MSM (1OLC)), for the period 25 April 2000 to 1 April 2003, on 1 July 2003 vice 17 November 2003, and it was accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record on 1 July 2003.

		b. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Fourth Oak Leaf Cluster (AFCM) (4OLC), for the period 16 April 2002 to 17 April 2002, on 1 July 2003 vice 20 August 2003, and it was accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record on 1 July 2003.

		c. The citation for the AFCM (4OLC) be corrected to reflect the period 16 April 2002 to 17 July 2002 vice 16 April 2003 to 17 July 2003.

	It is further directed that he be considered for promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel by Special Selection Board (SSB) for the CY03A (8 Jul 03) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board and any subsequent boards for which the above awards were not a matter of record.

		Director
		Air Force Review Boards Agency