RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02370

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His date of rank (DOR) to Major (O-4) [sic] be changed from 1 May 14 to 1 Apr 14.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He should have been granted an accelerated promotion to Lt Col on 1 Apr 14, which is the date approved by his commander.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve (AFR) in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col), O-5.

On 10 Jun 13, according to the documentation provided by ARPC/PB, the applicant met the Calendar Year 2013 (CY13) USAFR Line and Nonline Lt Col Promotion Selection Boards and was selected for promotion to Lt Col.

On 28 Mar 14, according to the documentation provided by the applicant, his chain of command recommended and approved him for promotion to the grade of Lt Col with an effective date of 1 Apr 14.

On 24 Apr 14, according to the documentation provided by ARPC/PB, the applicant’s unit submitted the request for accelerated promotion with a DOR of 1 Apr 14.

On 1 May 14, the applicant was promoted to the grade of Lt Col, as indicated by Reserve Order ROBA-0286, dated 25 Apr 14.

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:

ARPC/PB recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  However, a different DOR than what the applicant requests is recommended in accordance with Air Reserve Personnel Center Memorandum (ARPCM) 13-21, dated 8 Aug 13.

On 24 Apr 14, a Thursday, the applicant’s unit submitted the request for accelerated promotion with a DOR of 1 Apr 14.  HQ ARPC/PB occasionally receives requests with a backdated DOR, but will not honor such requests.  According to the published policy for the CY13 board, ARPCM 13-21, the applicant would have been given a 28 Apr 14 DOR, 2 duty days from the date the unit submitted the request.  According to the office policy in place at the time of submission, the applicant would have been given a 1 May 14 DOR, 5 duty days from the date the unit submitted the request.

On 25 April 2014, an order was issued promoting the applicant with a DOR of 1 May 14.  This was 5 duty days from the date the unit submitted the request.

It is recommended the Board direct the applicant be given a DOR of 28 Apr 14.  This DOR is in accordance with the published acceleration promotion policy for the CY13 board.  It is not recommended the applicant be given a DOR of 1 Apr 14.  This was before the request was submitted by the unit in vPC-GR.  To give the applicant this DOR would give him an advantage not granted to other individuals in similar situations.

A complete copy of the ARPC/PB 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 2 Aug 17 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 and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force OPR and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error.  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 on 28 Apr 14, he was promoted to the grade of lieutenant colonel rather than 1 May 14.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02370 in Executive Session on 9 Nov 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

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

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 Jun 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, ARPC/PB, dated 7 Dec 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 2 Aug 17, w/atch.

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.