RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-01210

 						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS) records reflect he has 113 hours of combat flight hours, instead of 664.    

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He has 664 hours of combat flight hours to include his time in the Army. 

AFI 11-401, Aviation Management, does not allow him to extract combat flight time logged in the Army and add it to his Air Force combat flight time.  This is unfair and places him at an extreme disadvantage in regards to his Promotion Recommendation Form (PRF) for his upcoming promotion board to the grade of major (O-4).  He is not asking for a complete breakout of his flight time but merely to add 551 hours to his ARMS record.  

He previously submitted an AF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication, to have the guidance changed in AFI 11-401.  However, his suggestion was disapproved with no justification provided.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 28 May 2010 and is currently serving in the grade of captain (O-3).  

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

USAF/A3XM recommends denial.  The applicant was not a rated Air Force officer flying Air Force aircraft on valid Air Force orders.  Therefore, his Army flying hours to include combat hours were correctly updated and annotated in both his flight and personnel records.  In accordance with AFI 11-401, total career flight time obtained in the service of other US military agencies when not officially directed by the Air Force is entered into ARMS in the “Other US Military hour block.” 

A complete copy of the USAF/A3XM evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He agrees the processing of his flight records was in accordance with AFI 11-401 exactly as the OPR states.  However, the problem lies within AFI 11-401 and the reluctance to accept “combat flight time” from other branches of service.  It is true that other services log flight hours differently and have different categories; however, what is undeniable is that the Air Force is neglecting to recognize combat flight time to aircrew members as defined under a Presidential Executive Order.  This causes problems for inter-service transfers to the Air Force.  He suggests the OPR for AFI 11-401 add an “Exception” paragraph to allow HARM offices to credit aircrew combat time accrued in other branches of service prior to entering the Air Force.  This is neglect and unfair treatment to accept an outdated policy as written in the AFI.  

A complete copy of the applicant’s evaluation is at Exhibit E.  

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal response, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In this respect, we note the applicant states that his flight records were processed exactly as stated by the OPR in accordance with AFI 11-401 but argues the AFI should be revised.   This Board, which serves on behalf of the Secretary of the Air Force, corrects military records when there is evidence of an error or injustice.  In the applicant’s case, his combat flight time appears to be documented correctly in accordance with Air Force directives and there is no evidence he was treated differently than other similarly situated airmen.  Furthermore, granting the applicant’s request would result in an injustice to other similarly situated airmen.  Should the applicant still believe AFI 11-401 is in error, he is encouraged to further pursue a change through the Airman Powered by Innovation (API) Program or through his functional community.  In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-01210 in Executive Session on 1 and 9 June 2017 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 March 2016, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, USAF/A3XM, dated 27 June 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 16 February 2017. 
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 16 March 2017.

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.