RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00830
		INDEX CODE:  131.02
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His promotion selection to the grade of staff sergeant be reinstated. 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was selected for promotion to staff sergeant with a line number of 16,844.  His promotion would have been effective 1 Jul 01.  He was not sent to Airman Leadership School (ALS) while assigned to Eielson AFB, AK because he was projected for reassignment to Bolling AFB, DC.  While at Bolling AFB he was never sent to ALS.  He continually requested a class with no success.  His performance reports were all rated at "5."  

In support of his request, applicant provided a personal statement, documentation pertaining to his reassignment, documentation pertaining to his promotion selection, and his DD Form 214.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 19 Jun 96.  He was progressively promoted to the grade of senior airman, effective and with a date of rank of 19 Jun 99.  He was selected for promotion to the grade of staff sergeant during promotion cycle 00E5.  He was assigned promotion sequence number 16,844.  His promotion was placed in withhold status pending completion of ALS.  Promotion selections were announced in August 2000.  He departed Eielson AFB in October 2000 and arrived at Bolling AFB in December 2000.  His promotion sequence number incremented on 1 Jul 01.  He was voluntarily released from active duty in the grade of senior airman on 14 Aug 02.  He served 6 years, 1 month, and 25 days on active duty.  Applicant reenlisted in the Air Force on 27 Feb 03, and is currently serving in the grade of senior airman.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPWB recommends denial.  DPPPWB states Airmen selected for promotion to SSgt, MSgt, or CMSgt must complete in-residence Professional Military Education (PME) before assuming these grades.  The personnel data system automatically withholds promotion for those who do not complete the appropriate PME prior to the effective date.  He made a conscious decision to separate before meeting all the prerequisites for promotion to SSgt.  The DPPPWB 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 16 Apr 04 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 of error or injustice warranting corrective action.  In this respect, the applicant was selected for promotion to staff sergeant in the 00E5 promotion cycle but was unable to assume that grade because he had not completed the Professional Military Education (PME) requirements.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record, it is our opinion that since it is unclear as to why the applicant did not complete PME in a timely manner, reasonable doubt has been established as to whether the applicant did not attend PME through no fault of his own.  Accordingly, we believe that any doubt should be resolved in his favor.  We note that as of this date, the applicant has not completed ALS.  We considered recommending he be promoted retroactive to his original projected promotion date; however, after consideration of all the facts of his case we believe since he did not assume the grade prior to separating from the Air Force, the appropriate action in this case would be to recommend he be promoted effective and with a date of rank as of the date he completes the required PME.  Therefore, we recommend his 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 be scheduled to attend Airman Leadership School with the next available class.

b. Upon completion of Airman Leadership School, he be promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, effective and with a date of rank of his graduation date.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number    BC-2004-00830 in Executive Session on 3 Jun 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 24 Feb 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 2 Apr 04.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 Apr 04.

							

AFBCMR BC-2004-00830

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 be scheduled to attend Airman Leadership School with the next available class.

		b. Upon completion of Airman Leadership School, he be promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, effective and with a date of rank of his graduation date.