RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03754 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. His Fitness Assessment (FA) failures for 13 Oct 09, 19 Mar 10, 18 Nov 10 and 10 Feb 11, be removed from his records. 2. His Enlisted Performance Reports (EPRs) with closeout dates of 23 Nov 09, 23 Nov 10, and 15 Mar 11, be removed from his records. 3. His rank of staff sergeant (E-5) be restored. 4. He be promoted to the rank of technical sergeant (E-6) with the appropriate date of rank (DOR). _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: After his staff sergeant stripes and technical sergeant line number were taken away from him, due to failing his fitness tests, it was discovered that he had a heart condition that did not allow him to pass the test. He was in the process of being separated from the Air Force; however, once his heart condition was discovered he was told that he did not have to separate. In support of his request, the applicant provides a personal statement, a copy of his VA Form 10-5345, Request for and Authorization to Release Medical Records or Health Information, and excerpts from his medical records. His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant was notified on 25 Feb 11 that his squadron commander was recommending his demotion from the rank of staff sergeant to that of senior airman for failing to maintain fitness standards, noting his four fitness failures in a 24-month period. After consulting with counsel, he waived his right to a personal hearing before the initiating commander, non-concurred with the proposed demotion and submitted written materials on own his behalf. The group commander reviewed the proposed action, to include the applicant’s written submission, and ordered his demotion, effective and with a DOR of 4 Mar 11 The following is a resume of his fitness assessments, since 13 Oct 09: FA TEST DATE FITNESS LEVEL * 13 Oct 09 Poor * 19 Mar 10 Poor * 18 Nov 10 Unsatisfactory * 10 Feb 11 Unsatisfactory 8 Sep 11 Satisfactory * Contested FAs The following is a resume of his EPR ratings, since 18 Jan 08: RATING PERIOD PROMOTION RECOMMENDATION 18 Jan 08 5 18 Jan 09 5 * 23 Nov 09 3 * 23 Nov 10 3 * 15 Mar 11 5 * Contested Reports The applicant did not file an appeal through the Evaluation Report Appeals Board (ERAB). _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ USAF/A1PP recommends removal of the FA test results for the period of 2009 through 2011, based on the medical documentation indicating the applicant’s chest pains while running were due to undiagnosed, exercise-induced asthma. The complete HQ USAF/A1PP evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends voiding the three contested EPRs,contingent upon the Board approving the applicant’s request to have his FA test results removed from his records. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit D. AFPC/DPSOE recommends approval based on the contingent recommendations of HQ USAF/A1PP and AFPC/DPSID. In addition, they recommend restoration of the applicant’s rank of staff sergeant and selection to technical sergeant. The complete DPSOE evaluation is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 1 Mar 12 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. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe a preponderance of the evidence supports corrective action. In this respect, we note that due to an undiagnosed medical condition the applicant failed four fitness assessments. As a result, he was rendered three referral EPRs, reduced in rank, and his line number for promotion to technical sergeant was removed. After the applicant received the proper medical evaluation it was determined that he had hypertension, coronary artery disease, 25 percent arterial blockage, and that his chest pain while running were due to an undiagnosed, exercise-induced bronchospasm, or asthma. In view of these medical conditions, he should have been placed on the appropriate physical profile precluding him from fitness assessment. In view of the above, we agree with the favorable recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our recommendation that his records be corrected as 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: a. The Fitness Assessment (FA) failures for 13 Oct 09, 19 Mar 10, 18 Nov 10 and 10 Feb 11, be removed from his records. b. The AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt), rendered for the period 19 January 2009 through 23 November 2009, be removed from his records. c. The AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt), rendered for the period 24 November 2009 through 23 November 2010, be removed from his records. d. The AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report (AB thru TSgt), rendered for the period 24 November 2010 through 15 March 2011, be removed from his records. e. His effective date and date of rank to staff sergeant of 1 November 2002 be restored. d. He be promoted to the rank of technical sergeant (E-6), effective and with a date of rank of 1 December 2009. ______________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-03754 in Executive Session on 7 Jun 12, 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 20 Sep 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, HQ USAF/A1PP, dated 10 Jan 12. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 3 Feb 12. Exhibit E. Letter, AFPC/DPSOE, dated 16 Feb 12. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Mar 12.