RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:		DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2006-01560
		INDEX CODE: 131.00 
						COUNSEL:  NONE

	          			HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: 23 NOV 07
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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be considered for supplemental promotion to the grade of technical sergeant for cycle 05E6.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His decoration along with his Enlisted Performance Report closing out 24 Dec 04 were initiated on 3 Dec 04.  On 1 Jan 05, he made a permanent change of station (PCS) from Okinawa Japan to Kirtland AFB.  In Feb 05, he tested for technical sergeant.  At that time, he was unaware his Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) was on hold at his previous unit.  In Jan 05, his unit deployed to support a humanitarian mission.  In May 05, his unit deployed to support another mission.  His previous supervisor was part of these missions which contributed to the delayed processing of the AFCM.

In support of the application, he submits a copy of the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) and memorandums from his squadron commander, his superintendent, a memorandum from his supervisor, and his former supervisor. 

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Data extracted from the personnel data system reflects the applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force on 9 May 94.  He has been progressively promoted to the grade of staff sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1 May 00.  

Promotion selections for cycle 05E6 were made on 6 Jun 05.  The total weighted promotion score required for selection in the applicant’s Air Force Specialty Code was 299.73. The applicant’s total weighted promotion score was 299.03.

On 3 Dec 04, a RDP was prepared on the applicant for the purpose of recommending him for an Air Force decoration.

He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM) for the period of 4 Sep 99 to 31 Dec 04.  The AFCM is worth three points in the computation of a member’s total promotion score.

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 Promotion Eligibility Cutoff Date (PECD), and the date of the RDP must be before the date of selections for the cycle in question.

Since the decoration was prepared after selections for the cycle were announced, the decoration was not considered in the promotion process for cycle O5E6.

On 8 Jun 06, the special order announcing his AFCM was amended to change the Report on an Individual Person (RIP) Date from 2 Jan 05 to 3 Dec 04.

Applicant was recently selected for promotion to technical sergeant with a sequence control number of 10210 in cycle 06E6. He departed Kadena Air Force Base (AFB) on 30 Dec 04 and arrived at Kirtland AFB 3 Jan 05.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

APFC/DPPPWB recommends denial.  DPPWB states a decoration is considered placed into official channels when the decoration is signed by the initiating official and indorsed by a higher official in the chain of command.  Although applicant’s RDP print out date is 3 Dec 04, it was never filled out and signed; therefore, there is no way of knowing when it was actually placed in official channels.  The e-mail traffic submitted by the applicant indicates the decoration package was returned for correction on 21 Sep 05. Subsequently, there is no way this award was approved and placed in official channels prior to selects being run on 6 Jun 05 and released to the public 16 Jun 05. Additionally, after reviewing the circumstances of this case, there is no conclusive evidence the decoration was submitted and placed into official channels prior to the date promotions were announced for cycle 05E6 and the applicant became aware he had missed promoting by less than one point.

The AFPC/DPPPWB 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 23 Jun 06 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response (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 time filed.     

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice.  After reviewing the documentation submitted and in particular the letters from the applicant’s former commander and supervisor, we believe that the intent, direction, and desire of the applicant’s immediate chain of command was to have the award placed into proper channels in sufficient time to be considered in the 05E6 promotion cycle.  We are also of the opinion that the untimely processing of the decoration was beyond the applicant’s control.  In view of the above and in order to resolve any injustice to the applicant, we recommend that his records be corrected in the following manner.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

Pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) (Décor-6), for the award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), (Basic), covering the period 4 September 1999 through 31 December 2004, was signed by the commander on 30 December 2004.

It is further recommended that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of technical sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 05E6, with the AFCM included in his record.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2006-01560 in Executive Session on 8 August 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated May 15, 2006, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  AFPC/DPPPWB Letter, dated 9 June 2006.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 June 2006.

                                   

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON, DC

Office of the Assistant Secretary

AFBCMR BC-2006-01560

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 the Recommendation for Decoration Printout (RDP) (Décor-6), for the award of the Air Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), (Basic), covering the period 4 September 1999 through 31  December 2004, was signed by the commander on 30 December 2004.

	It is further directed that he be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of technical sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 05E6, with the AFCM included 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 qualifications for the promotion.