RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01028
				INDEX CODE:  131.00
				COUNSEL:  None

				HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Special Order G-065 dated 17 February 2004, awarding him the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) be corrected to reflect the date of the original Recommendation for Decoration Printout (DÉCOR 6) requested in October 2002.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His supervisor requested a DÉCOR 6 and prepared and submitted a decoration based on it in October 2002.  The applicant’s unit was undergoing a reorganization and the decoration package was lost.  After more than year of searching his supervisor requested a new DÉCOR 6 and resubmitted the package.  The delay cost him a promotion to master sergeant (MSgt) in the 2003 cycle (he missed promotion by 1.67 points).  He believes he should not be penalized for the errors of the orderly room.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of technical sergeant.

Promotion selections for the fiscal year (FY) 2003 (03) master sergeant (E7) cycle were made on 17 June 2003 with a public release on 23 June 2003.  The total weighted promotion score required for selection in the applicant’s Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 320.33.  The applicant’s total weighted promotion was 318.66.

On 26 November 2003, a Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) was prepared on the applicant for the purpose of 
recommending him for a Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) with one Oak Leaf Cluster (1 OLC).

Per Special Order G-065, dated 17 February 2004, the applicant was awarded the AFCM/1 OLC for the period 22 June 1998 through 1 July 2002.  Special Order G-126 dated 18 May 2004, amended Special Order G-065 to read 980622-020617 and 8.  The AFAM/1 OLC is worth three points in the computation of a servicemember’s total promotion score.

The decoration was not considered in the promotion process for cycle 03E7.

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AIR STAFF EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPPR indicates upon reviewing the facts and circumstances of the applicant’s request and records, there was no documentation found to verify the applicant’s supervisor initially requested DÉCOR 6 with the order date of October 2002.

HQ AFPC/DPPPWB states that before a decoration is credited for a specific promotion cycle, the closeout date of the decoration must be on or before the promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD).  The date of the DÉCOR-6 Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  The PECD is established for each promotion cycle to determine which Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) or Chief Enlisted Manager (CEM) code the member will be considered for, as well as which performance reports and decorations are to be used in the promotion consideration process.  A decoration must be verified and documented that it was placed into official channels prior to the selection date.

Furthermore, the special order awarding the applicant’s AFCM does not meet the criteria for promotion credit during the 03E7 cycle because the request for decoration printout (RDP) date was 26 November 2003--after selections were made on 17 June 2003.  Policy specifically precludes personnel from subsequently (after promotions selections) submitting someone for a decoration with a retroactive decoration effective date (closeout) so as to put them over the selection cutoff score.  Exceptions to this policy are only considered when the airman can support a previous submission with documentation or statements including conclusive evidence that the recommendation was officially placed into military channels within the prescribed time limit and conclusive evidence the recommendation was not acted upon through loss or inadvertence.  In accordance with AFI 36-2803, paragraph 
3.1, a decoration is considered to have been placed into official channels when the decoration recommendation is signed by the initiating official and indorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.  Again, decorations that are resubmitted (because initial decoration was downgraded, lost, etc.) must be placed into official channels prior to the promotion selection date.  There is no indication his package was reaccomplished and placed into official channels until 26 November 2003, which was after the promotions for the 03E7 cycle were announced and he became aware he missed promotion by less than two points.  Although the applicant believes his RDP date should be changed to an earlier date, this change would still not entitle him to supplemental promotion consideration for the 03E7 cycle as the change would be done after the fact--after the date promotion selections were accomplished.

After an extensive review of the circumstances of this case, AFPC/DPPPW states there is no conclusive evidence that the applicant’s decoration was placed into official channels prior to the date promotions were announced for cycle 03E7.  While AFPC/DPPW is aware of the impact this recommendation has had on the applicant’s career, the fact remains the lost decoration was not resubmitted prior to selections for this cycle were made. Furthermore, to approve the applicant’s request would not be fair or equitable to others in the same situation that missed promotion selection by a narrow margin and are not entitled to have an “after the fact” decoration count in the promotion process.  Based on the rationale provided they recommend denying the requested relief.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR STAFF EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluations and states he tried every avenue to ensure his promotion package was completed in time for it to be counted for the 03E7 promotion cycle.  Furthermore, they were informed it was inappropriate to request a DÉCOR 6 before the original was determined to be lost.  This is why his medal package was not resubmitted prior to the PECD (Exhibit D).

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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.  After reviewing the documentation provided, we are convinced the AFCM should have been considered in the selection process for cycle 03E7 promotion cycle.  It appears the DÉCOR 6 for the Air Force Commendation Medal the applicant’s rater prepared in October 2002 was inadvertently lost due to the reorganization of the unit.  Apparently during the time period in question, the computer system used to generate the DÉCOR 6 was experiencing some problems and there was no way to track the processing of the award during the reorganization.  After several attempts of trying to track his award, the applicant’s commander resubmitted another DÉCOR 6 for the AFCM.  The applicant has provided statements from his commander and the administrative clerk attesting to the fact the DÉCOR 6 was lost and the unsuccessful attempts of the applicant and his unit in trying to locate the award package.  In the opinion of the Board, the applicant exhibited due diligence to ensure his promotion record was complete before being considered during the promotion cycle.  In view of the foregoing, we believe the applicant suffered an injustice as a result of the award package being lost and which prevented the AFCM from being factored into his score during the promotion cycle.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant be afforded supplemental promotion consideration by cycle 03E7.

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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 the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (DÉCOR 6), for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), covering the period 22 June 1998 to 17 June 2002, was signed by the commander on 6 October 2002, rather than 31 December 2003. 

It is further recommended he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 03E7 with inclusion of the AFCM, 1OLC in his record.

If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such 
information will be documented and presented to the board for a final determination on the individual's qualification for the promotion.

If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion the records shall be corrected to show that applicant was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that applicant is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-01028 in Executive Session on 18 November 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 13 Jul 04, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPR&DPPPW, dated 3 Sep 04.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Sep 04.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atch.

					 

AFBCMR BC-2004-01028

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  be corrected to show that the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (DÉCOR 6), for award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), covering the period 22 June 1998 to 17 June 2002, was signed by the commander on 6 October 2002, rather than 31 December 2003. 

	It is further directed he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of master sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 03E7 with inclusion of the AFCM, 1OLC in his record.

	If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and presented to the board for a final determination on the individual's qualification for the promotion.

	If supplemental promotion consideration results in the selection for promotion to the higher grade, immediately after such promotion the records shall be corrected to show that applicant was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that applicant is entitled to all pay, allowances, and benefits of such grade as of that date.