RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-01235 INDEX CODE:	111.02
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:	NONE HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His Enlisted Performance Report (EPR) rendered for the period
2 September 2004 through 25 March 2005 be removed from his records and he be given supplemental promotion consideration beginning with cycle 05E5.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He would have never received a referral EPR if he had not been placed into a career field in which he was not qualified. He was selected for the Air Force Band career field based on his potential; however, he really didn’t meet the requirements. Since the career field was experiencing manning shortages, he was hired based on his potential.

In support of his appeal, the applicant submits a personal statement, a request for supplemental promotion consideration with a promotion comparison worksheet, responses to the referral EPR, a copy of his EPRs, letters of support, letters of appreciation, status of upgrade training memorandum, memorandum for record, electronic communication, evaluation of training and performance progress memorandum, and a test matrix.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of staff sergeant (E-5) with a date of rank of 1 December 2006. He has a Total Active Military Service Date of 1 May 2001 and a projected Date of Separation of 3 February 2011.

The following is a resume of the applicant’s EPR profile: PERIOD ENDING	PROMOTION RECOMMENDATION
31 Dec 02	5

31 Dec 03	5	
1 Sep 04	5	
25 Mar 05*	3	
25 Mar 06	5	
15 Jan 07
* Contested report	5	
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSIDEP recommends one of two actions: (1) deny the applicant’s request based on the evidence the EPR is an accurate assessment of the his duty performance for the period; or, (2) if the AFBCMR determines the applicant should not have been selected for the career field, recommend removing the report as requested. DPSIDEP states the contested EPR was a “Commander Directed” report that covered the period 2 September 2004 through 25 March 2005. Since the applicant was experiencing difficulty meeting upgrade training standards, a commander directed report was appropriate and the contested report is procedurally correct. The applicant contends he really didn’t meet the requirements to enter the career field; however, due to manning shortages, he was hired based on his potential. He points out that he should have been given a voice instructor within the first couple of weeks of being assigned, but was not given one until January 2005. He supports his claim with statements from several individuals. Based on these statements, it appears that he actually began to show improvement once he began receiving the assistance he was supposed to be getting from the beginning. Furthermore, with the exception of the contested report, the applicant has an impeccable record, both before and after his six months duration with the Air Force Band. In fact, shortly thereafter, he was the recipient of the Airmen Leadership School Class 06-7, John Levitow award.

DPSIDEP indicates that based on the facts, the contested report was an accurate and fair assessment of the applicant’s performance during the reporting period. However, whether or not he should have been selected into the career field is outside of their expertise; therefore, they defer that determination to the AFBCMR.

The DPSIDEP evaluation is at Exhibit B.
AFPC/DPSOE defers to DPSIDEP’s recommendation, as they have determined the contested EPR to be correct as written. DPSOE states the first time the contested report would normally have been considered in the promotion process was cycle 05E5 to staff sergeant; however, the fact the EPR was a referral, rendered him ineligible for promotion consideration in accordance with Air Force Instruction 36-2502, Table 1.1, Rule 22. Should the Board decide to remove the report as requested; the applicant will be

entitled to supplemental promotion consideration beginning with cycle 05E5.

The DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit C.
SAF/PAR (Career Field Manager for 3N1XX – Regional Band) is of the opinion that no error was made in qualifying the applicant for entry into the career field as a 3N131R (vocalist). PAR indicates all candidates selected into the 3N1X1 or 3N2X1 career fields generate from three sources: non-prior service (civilians), prior-service, or through retraining of airmen holding other Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). All candidates must qualify for regional band positions via an audition. Weaknesses are flagged as priority items for improvement during upgrade training. In the majority of cases, weaknesses identified did not prevent qualification for entry into the career field. This approach places a significant amount of responsibility on the new member to work diligently to correct documented weaknesses while at the same time maintain the skills identified in the audition as superior. The 3N1XX career field has a long history of success stories involving cross-trainees into the career field. The majority of these successes are vocalists (3N1X1R). Of the 29 current vocalists assigned to positions in the Air Force band program, 15 are cross-trainees from other AFSCs. The applicant was found qualified for a position in the Pacific Air Force Band and cleared to cross-train into the career field as a 3N131R. Weaknesses were identified during his audition and targeted as priorities for his upgrade training. He was given repeated opportunities to improve during upgrade training but was not successful. Given the precedent set by successful cross-trainees prior to the applicant, no error was made in qualifying him for entry into the career field.

The PAR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 18 July 2008 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, this office has received no response.

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	an	injustice.	After	a	thorough
1.	
review of the evidence of record, we are sufficiently persuaded that relief is warranted in this case. In this respect, we note the comments from the Director of Operations and the Non- Commissioned Officer in Charge of Top Cover, at the time of the applicant’s audition, that the applicant should have never been hired as a bandsman and did not have the training and experience to be accepted into the Air Force Band. We also note the applicant’s stellar performance in his career fields both prior to and after his short time in the Air Force Band. Therefore, in view of the foregoing and to offset any possibility of an injustice to the applicant, we recommend the records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that:

a.	The Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSGT), AF IMT 910, rendered for the period 2 September 2004 through 25 March 2005 be, and hereby is, declared void and removed from his records.

b.	He be provided supplemental consideration for promotion to the grade of staff sergeant for all appropriate cycles beginning with cycle 05E5.

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 individual 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 he was promoted to the higher grade on the date of rank established by the supplemental promotion and that he is entitled to all pay, allowances and benefits of such grade as of that date.

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 17 September 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Panel Chair 
Member
Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008- 01235 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 22 Mar 08, w/atch. Exhibit B.	Letter, AFPC/ DPSIDEP, dated 5 May 08. Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/ DPSOE, dated 8 May 08.
Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/PAR, not dated. Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jul 08.