RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:	BC-2014-01127 COUNSEL:	NONE
HEARING DESIRED:	NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
She requests three years and nine days of Constructive Service Credit (CSC) for earning her PhD in	in 2003.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
A health services recruiter told her the CSC for her PhD could not be applied at commissioning because a portion of the time she spent earning her degrees (PhD and MD) were overlapping. She learned from peers, CSC (or partial credit) could be applied for through the AFBCMR process.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 5 May 06, the applicant received her Reserve Appointment Order in the grade of Captain, with assignment to HQ Air Reserve Personnel Center.

On 9 Jun 06, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force in the grade of captain (O-3).

On 5 Aug 14, the applicant resigned from active duty with 8 years,
1 month, and 27 days of active service.
On 6 Aug 14, the applicant was appointed a Major in the Air National Guard and continues to serve in that capacity.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C, D, and E.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAN revised their 19 Jun 14 advisory (Exhibit F) and recommends to grant partial relief, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice. CSC is used to determine the commissioning/entry to active duty grade based on successful completion of education, training and professional experience. CSC is computed in accordance with AFI 36-2005, Appointment in Commissioned Grades and Designation and Assignment in Professional Categories - Reserve of the Air Force and United States Air Force. Further, entry grade credit (not CSC) is earned IAW AFI 36-2008, Voluntary Extended Active Duty (EAD) for Air Reserve Commissioned Officers. Medical officers are commissioned in the reserves of the Air Force and then accessed to active duty.

In May 2006, her CSC was incorrectly computed, awarding her
4 years and 26 days of credit.. Upon further review, she should have received 4 years credit for her MD from 4 May 02 to 5 May 06. She also should have received 1 month and 3 days entry grade credit from date of commission, 6 May 06, to the day prior to her EAD date of 8 Jun 06. Additionally, she is authorized up to 48 months credit for her PhD as long as time spent receiving her PhD is not earned concurrently with her primary credentials (MD). As the applicant did have some concurrent degree time, she can only be awarded partial credit for her PhD (9 May 99 to 25 Apr 02), for a total of 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days. A breakdown of her service, IAW AFPC/DPAM Form 60, Constructive Service Credit, is as follows:

Degree/Credits	Grade Credit
MD	4 years, 0 months, and 0 days Entry grade credit	0 years, 1 month and 3 days
PhD	2 years, 11 months, and 17 days
Total Grade credit      7 years, 0 months, and 20 days
Once all credits are computed, AFI36-2005, Table 2.1., determines the appointment grade based on credit received. She received at least 4 years credit (Captain), but not at least 10 years credit (Major).  Therefore, she was appointed in the grade of Captain.

It is recommended the applicant be awarded 2 years, 11 months and
17 days credit for her PhD that does not overlap with her MD.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAN evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPSIPV provides no recommendation at this time but will reevaluate the applicant’s date of rank (DOR) if the Board recommends to grant the applicant’s request.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIPV evaluation is at Exhibit D.

AFPC/DPSOO provides no recommendation at this time. If the Board approves the corrected CSC, the applicant’s eligibility for a Special Selection Board (SSB) for an earlier Major Medical Corps (MC) Central Selection Board will be evaluated (and scheduled, if applicable). Further, if the results of the SSB are approved, any pay and allowances she was entitled to will be adjusted. Additionally, any adjustment to her DOR to major will be evaluated to determine if she is eligible for a promotion board  to lieutenant colonel (O-5).

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOO evaluation is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies	of	the	Air	Force	evaluations	were	forwarded	to	the applicant on 3 Apr 15 and 7 May 15 for review and comment within
30	days	(Exhibits	F	and	G).	The	applicant	acknowledged satisfaction with the AFPC/DPAN advisory recommendation, dated on
16 May 15 (Exhibit G).

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 error or injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. We note the calculations of the Air Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) address her total service credit; however, the 2006 CSC calculations and 2015 CSC recalculation are slightly confusing. Nonetheless, the Board trusts the expertise of the OPR and agree with their bottom-line recommendation to award 2 years,
11 months, and 17 days credit (of the 3 years, 9 days requested) for the applicant’s PhD, as some of her degree time was concurrent with her MD. This is further supported by fact the applicant has reviewed this recommendation and acknowledged satisfaction with the relief recommended. Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that competent authority granted the applicant an additional 2 years, 11 months, and 17 days Constructive Service Credit (CSC) for completion of her PhD in Immunology, when she was accessed into the Regular Air Force in 2006.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01127 in Executive Session on 21 May 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-01127 was considered:

Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 4 Mar 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.	Memorandum (Revised), AFPC/DPAN, dated 7 May 15. Exhibit D.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIPV, dated 11 Feb 15.
Exhibit E.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOO, dated 6 Mar 15. Exhibit F.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Apr 15.
Exhibit G.	Memorandum, AFPC/DPAN, dated 19 Jun 14.
Exhibit H.	Email between applicant and SAF/MRBC, 16 May 15.