RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2005-00233
		INDEX NUMBER: 100.00

	XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

	XXXXXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  23 Nov 05

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive supplemental promotion consideration for cycle 03E5, with the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, 1 OLC), considered in the promotion process.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Had the decoration been properly applied to his records, he would have been promoted to the grade of staff sergeant during cycle 03E5.

Due to the paperwork being lost, the date the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) was prepared was after selections for cycle 03E5.  He inquired on the status of the decoration several times prior to the Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD).  His request for supplemental promotion consideration was denied because the order date on the DECOR6 was after the cutoff for cycle 03E5.  However, the effective date of all decorations is the closing date of the service period recognized regardless of the order date.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of senior airman (E-4).

Promotion selections for cycle 03E5 were made on 5 August 2003 and announced on 13 August 2003.  The total weighted promotion score required for selection in the applicant's Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 248.80.  The applicant's total weighted promotion score was 248.66.  The Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD) was 31 March 2003.

A Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) was prepared on the applicant on 30 January 2004.

Headquarters 355th Mission Support Group Special Order GA-010, dated 27 March 2004, awarded the applicant the AFAM, 1 OLC, for outstanding achievement during the period 1 Jul 2001 to 30 June 2002.  The AFAM is worth one point in the computation of a member’s total weighted promotion score.

Applicant’s request for supplemental promotion consideration during cycle 03E5 was denied by AFPC on 20 August 2004, since the AFAM, 1 OLC, recommendation was not placed into official military channels until after selections for cycle 03E5 were announced.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPPWB recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that for a decoration to be eligible for consideration in a promotion cycle, the close-out date of the decoration must be on or before the PECD, and the date of the RDP must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.  In the applicant’s case, since the RDP was prepared after selections for cycle 03E5 were announced, the AFAM, 1 OLC, was not considered in the promotion process for cycle 03E5.  In addition, a decoration that a member claims was lost, downgraded, etc., must be fully documented and verified that it was placed into official channels prior to the selection date.  There is no conclusive evidence the lost decoration was resubmitted before selections for cycle 03E5.  While they are acutely aware of the impact this recommendation has on the applicant's career, the fact is the decoration was not submitted until after selections for this cycle were made.  To approve the applicant's request would not be fair or equitable to many others in the same situation who miss promotion selection by a narrow margin and are not entitled to have an "after the fact" decoration count in the promotion process.

The AFPC/DPPPWB evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 11 February 2005 for review and response within 30 days.  However, 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.  After careful review of the evidence provided, we are persuaded the untimely processing of the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster (AFAM, 1 OLC), prevented it from being placed into official channels prior to selections for cycle 03E5.  In this respect, we noted the statement from the NCOIC, Base Honor Guard, who indicated that at times the Honor Guard Staff had only been one person deep and decorations were low on the priority list.  Since the delay in the processing of the award was through no fault of the applicant, and the accomplishments for which he received the AFAM (1OLC) were performed well before the selections were made for cycle 03E5, we believe the award should be considered in the promotion process for cycle 03E5.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent 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 the Recommendation for Decoration Printout for award of the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, covering the period 1 July 2001 through 30 June 2002, was signed by the commander on 30 June 2002, and placed into official channels.

It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of staff sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 03E5.  

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.  

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2005-00233 in Executive Session on 23 March 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

				Panel Chair
				Member
				Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Jan 05, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 26 Jan 05, w/atch.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 Feb 05.

                                   	
                                   Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2005-00233

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 XXXXXXX, XXXXXXX, be corrected to show that the Recommendation for Decoration Printout for award of the Air Force Achievement Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster, covering the period 1 July 2001 through 30 June 2002, was signed by the commander on 30 June 2002, and placed into official channels.

	It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of staff sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 03E5.  

	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.  

                                                                            JOE G. LINEBERGER
                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency