RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00277
		INDEX CODE:  131.00
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be promoted to the grade of master sergeant.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

In 1945, while serving in the grade of sergeant at Kharagpur, India, he was appointed as the Base Fire Chief by the engineering officer.  He was told that the Base Fire Chief must be a master sergeant and that a request would be sent to Washington D.C. for promotion orders.  Kharagpur was shut down and he reported to Bengal Air Depot where he was appointed as the Base Fire Chief.  He served duties as a master sergeant but was never promoted.  

In support of his request, applicant provided a personal statement, copies of various separation documents, his service qualification record, and a schedule of drills.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. 

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Data extracted from the available military records reflects that the applicant was inducted in the Army Air Corps on 21 Mar 44 and honorably discharged on 26 Jun 46, in the grade of sergeant.  While on active duty he served as a Sheet Metal Worker for 16 months and as a Fire Fighter for 7 months.  He subsequently enlisted in the Army National Guard on 3 Jun 58 and was discharged on 2 Jun 61.  

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPWB recommends the application be time-barred.  If the Board decides to consider the case, denial is recommended based on a lack of official documentation.  The DPPPWB evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant responded and reiterates that he was appointed the Base Fire Chief and in accordance with the technical order, the person in that position must be a master sergeant.  

In support of his request, he provided a personal statement and copy of a magazine article.  His complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we are not persuaded that he should be promoted to the grade of master sergeant.  Other than his own assertions, we see no evidence that he was recommended for promotion to the grade of master sergeant or that the positions to which he was assigned required that he be promoted to master sergeant.  Therefore, in the absence of documentary evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of 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.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00277 in Executive Session on 30 Jun 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 12 Jan 04, w/acths.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 19 Apr 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 May 04.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 10 May 04, w/atch.

                                   Panel Chair