RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02635 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The “Given Under My Hand” date of 2 July 2012 on his Meritorious Service Medal, awarded for the period 7 August 2005 to 12 August 2010, be changed to a date prior to the P0511B Central Selection Board (CSB) which convened on 6 Jun 2011. If approved, his P0511B Officer Selection Brief (OSB) reflect the MSM and he be considered by a Special Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 2011B (CY11B) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board (CSB). APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: With the MSM absent when his In-the-Zone (IPZ) promotion board met, it undoubtedly had detrimental impact on how the board viewed his promotion packet. It was not the intention of his rater at Whiteman Air Force Base not to submit a decoration. Unfortunately, due to administrative issues, his award was not processed in a timely manner. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his MSM award; and, letters of support from his Rater and Additional Rater. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a member of the Regular Air Force serving in the grade of major (O-4). He has two non-selections to the grade of lieutenant colonel (Lt Col) (O-5) by the P0511B and P0512C Lt Col CSBs. The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s official military service records, are contained in the evaluations provided by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility at Exhibits C and D. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSID recommends denying the applicant’s request for changing the “Given Under My Hand” date on his MSM for the period 7 August 2005 to 12 August 2010. DPSID states that after a thorough search of the applicant’s official military personnel records, they were unable to locate official documentation that the applicant applied to the awarding authority, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing, for relief in regards to the “Given Under My Hand” date on the certificate of his MSM. In accordance with Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2803, paragraph 3.1, recommendations must be in official channels within two years and the award made within three years of the act, achievement, or service performed. The “Given Under My Hand” date of 2 July 2012 is within the time limits of AFI 36-2803. The complete DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSOO recommends denying the applicant’s request for SSB consideration. DPSOO states their evaluation requires them to rely on the opinion of other Air Force experts. Since DPSID recommends denying the applicant’s request to change the date of his MSM and no corrections are being made to his P0511B Officer Selection Record (OSR), they recommend denying his request for SSB consideration. However, if the Board approves changing the date on the MSM citation to a date prior to convening of the promotion board, then they recommend SSB consideration with inclusion of the corrected MSM in his P0511B OSR and updated on his OSB. The complete DPSOO evaluation is at Exhibit D. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 6 December 2013, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E). 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 to warrant relief. In support of his contention, the applicant provides credible evidence from his rater and additional rater who clearly indicate it was their intent to have the MSM in question completed and on file prior to the CY2011B Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection board. Given the unequivocal support from these senior officers and having no reason to question their integrity in this matter, we believe the applicant was improperly disadvantaged due to the absence of this MSM which could have potentially detracted from his overall evaluation of his record. We took note of the comments and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicating the applicant’s award of the MSM was processed within the time limits and his request should be denied. However, we find the almost two-year processing time to be excessive and believe it may have disadvantaged the applicant when his record met the CY11B Lt Col CSB. Based on our recommendation to favorably consider his award of the MSM, we also recommend his OSB be corrected to reflect the MSM and that his corrected record be considered by an SSB. Therefore, based on the foregoing, we recommend the applicant’s record 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 Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) with inclusive dates of 7 August 2005 to 12 August 2010, was approved on on 13 August 2010 rather than 2 July 2012; and was accepted for file in his Officer Selection Record. b. His Officer Selection Brief prepared for the CY2011B Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection board be amended to reflect the Meritorious Service Medal with inclusive dates of 7 August 2005 to 12 August 2010. c. It is further directed that the corrected record be considered for promotion to the grade of Lieutenant Colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2011B (P0511B) Lieutenant Colonel Central Selection Board and any subsequent boards which the above corrections were not a matter of record. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-02635 in Executive Session on 20 March 2014, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013- 02635 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 15 May 13, with atchs. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSID, dated 23 Aug 13. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOO, dated 12 Sep 13. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 Dec 13. 1