RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2008-02073 INDEX CODE:	131.05
XXXXXXX	COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
Her date of rank (DOR) to the grade of master sergeant (E-7) be changed to reflect 1 October 2006 rather than 1 April 2007.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
She was treated unjustly due to a critique she had submitted during a Program Managers' (PM) conference in June 2006. She was very honest; stating that she believed it was organized poorly and scheduled during an inconvenient time especially since it was during the family holiday season. She believes the critique system should be used to share concerns and ideals, not be used for retribution. Prior to this, she was praised for being one of the best Assistant Base Individual Mobilization Augmentee Administrators (BIMAA) in the entire detachment and her Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs) stated "Promote to MSgt now". Meanwhile, not only did she get not get promoted on time, the supervisor was given a direct order to detail her to work in the Program Manager's office for over three months to observe her leadership and management abilities. Her supervisor was disappointed with that decision because she believed all expectations had been exceeded for promotion.

In support of her request, applicant provided a personal statement, several letters of support, a copy of AF IMT 224, Recommendation and Authorization for Promotion of Airmen as Reserve of the Air Force, a copy of her AF IMT 910, Enlisted Performance Report (EPR), a copy of training goals, a copy of AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion program, a timeline of events, an IG Complaint, and copies of email communiqués.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of master sergeant, with a date of rank of 1 April 2007.

The applicant's EPR closing out 15 March 2006 contained a promotion recommendation of "immediate promotion"; the rater's recommendation of "promote to master sergeant now", and the superintendent as  the additional rater recommended "promote ASAP," all with the Readiness Management Group commander’s concurrence. The applicant has completed all mandatory levels of Professional Military Education required for promotion and has earned a Masters Degree in Education.

On 17 August 2006, the applicant's supervisor completed an AF IMT
224 recommending her promotion to master sergeant effective and with a date of  rank (DOR) of 1 October 2006, which was coordinated through proper channels to the RMG commander, located at Robins AFB, GA.

On 26 September 2006, the applicant received a letter from the RMG commander disapproving her promotion to master sergeant. The reasons for the disapproval were that her senior noncommissioned officer (SNCO) leadership traits/characteristics had not been observed and she had not exhibited leadership and team building/managing potential beyond the noncommissioned officer level.

On 13 September 2006, the applicant filed a complaint with the Inspector General (IG), Air Force Reserve Command, alleging that her promotion was held up because of subjective information - lack of leadership.

On 19 October 2006, the IG notified the RMG commander that a member of her unit had filed an IG complaint alleging that she was denied promotion based on a negative course critique. The IG determined that the allegation fell outside their of scope responsibility and turned it over to the applicant's commander for action; and that the RMG should advise the applicant of the results with a brief response to the IG office outlining the results of the inquiry and actions taken, if any, so they could close the case (See Exhibit C).

On 20 October 2006, the IG notified the applicant of their conclusion that her concerns were not within the scope of the IG system and her complaint would be reviewed by her chain of command.

On 29 May 2008, a Type III, Unit Climate Assessment was conducted on the Readiness Management Group, Detachment 12 by the Equal Opportunity (EO) Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH. Based on the information obtained from the unit, the EO office concluded that attention was needed in the areas of job environment, motivation/recognition, and training opportunities.  The report

also noted that the intimidation the detachment felt from its leadership needed to be addressed to improve morale (See Exhibit D).

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFRC/A1B recommends denial and states the applicant was promoted to master sergeant effective 1 April 2007 at the commander's discretion.

AFRC/A1B’s complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 31 August 2007 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 error or injustice warranting corrective action. After reviewing the applicant’s submission, the statements provided in support of her appeal, and taking into consideration the results of the Unit Climate Assessment, the majority of the Board believes that the applicant has established reasonable doubt  as to whether the decision to delay her promotion may have been based on inappropriate factors. Given that she appears to have met the requirements necessary for promotion on 1 October 2006, it is the majority of the Board's opinion that the benefit of any doubt in this matter should be resolved in her favor. Accordingly, the majority of the Board recommends that her records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that she was promoted to the grade of master sergeant, effective and with a date of rank of 1 October 2006 in the Air Force Reserve.

The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2008-02073 in Executive Session on 20 November 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

Chair 
Member 
Member

By a majority vote, the Board recommended to grant the applicant’s request. --- voted to deny the applicant’s request and does not wish to submit a Minority Report. The following documentary evidence pertaining to Docket Number BC-2008-02073 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 27 May 08, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Letter, AFRC/A1B, dated 20 Aug 08, w/atch.
Exhibit C.	IG Report (withdrawn), dated 8 Aug 08, w/atchs. Exhibit D.	Letter, ASC/EO, dated 16 Jun 08.
Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jun 08.