RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-00581
		
   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His date of rank (DOR) to the grade of Staff Sergeant (SSgt) be changed to 1 Nov 14, 1 Dec 14, or 1 Jan 15—whichever the Board deems appropriate. 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His home is a great distance from his Reserve unit.  He tested for promotion at a base closer to his home, and his test results should have been forwarded to his unit in a timely manner.  He was outside of the country in the months following his test, and one system (the virtual education system) showed he had completed the test, but the Virtual MPF did not have that information so his name was never added to the promotion eligible list.  He was eligible for promotion on 1 Nov 14, but was not promoted until 1 Apr 15.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant served in the Air Force Reserve during the period of time of the matter under review.  

On 1 Apr 15, the applicant was promoted to the grade of SSgt. 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/A1K recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  In accordance with (IAW) AFI 36-2502, Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs, Table 8.2. Enlisted Airman Promotion/Demotion Programs, Rule 4, “If the promotion is to the grade of SSgt and the PAFSC is 5 skill (3 level if AFSC does not have 5 level) level and the member’s time-in-grade is 12 months and the member’s satisfactory years for retirement is four (4) years, then promote the member when the following mandatory education is completed:  (IAW Note 8) The NCO Preparatory Course, the NCO Leadership School, the Airman Leadership School (ALS) or the NCO Orientation Course.”  

After careful review of the source documents provided by the applicant and his commander, it was determined the applicant met the eligibility criteria for promotion to SSgt effective 1 Nov 14, not Apr 15.  The promotion authority stated administrative errors showed the applicant’s ALS was initially incomplete, then reflected an incorrect completion date of 3 Nov 14, which is inconsistent with his final testing date of 21 Oct 14.  After careful review of the source documents provided by the member and commander, it was determined the member actually met the minimum eligibility criteria for promotion to SSgt effective 1 Nov 14, not Apr 15.  The promotion authority recommended approval of the member’s promotion to SSgt effective on 1 Nov 14.

A complete copy of the AFRC/A1K evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 14 Oct 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case, agree with the opinion and recommendation of AFRC/A1K, and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  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 his date of rank and promotion effective date to the grade of Staff Sergeant are 1 November 2014.  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00581 in Executive Session on 18 Apr 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 1 Dec 15 w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFRC/A1K, dated 6 Sep 16.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 Oct 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.