RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02554 

						COUNSEL:  NO

						HEARING DESIRED:  YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be awarded constructive service credit (CSC) for civilian work (professional) experience.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She should have received CSC for her civilian work experience.  She worked in Renown Health as a Senior Operations Analyst from 23 Jul 12 to 26 Mar 16 which focused on her Medical Service Corps (MSC) core competencies.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is an Air Force First Lieutenant (1Lt).

Special Order (SO) JB-004179, dated 16 Aug 16, indicating the applicant was promoted to the grade of 1Lt, with a date of rank and effective date of promotion of 7 Mar 16, was amended by SO JB-005194 dated 17 Aug 16, to reflect a date of rank and effective date of promotion of 23 Mar 16.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

AFPC/DP2N recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The governing policies DoDI 6000.13, and AFI 36-2005, authorizes her to receive this credit; however the pertinent information was overlooked at the time CSC was calculated.  In accordance with DoDI 6000.13, Enclosure 3, para 1a (2) “A period of time shall be counted only once when computing entry grade credit, and qualifying periods of less than one full year shall be proportionately credited to the nearest day, except where noted otherwise.”  The applicant earned 2-years of credit for her master's degree (DoDI 6000.13, Enclosure 3, para lc3 (b), AFl36-2005, Table 2.5. Rule 39 and FY16 Medical CSC Guidance). She also received 15 days of entry grade credit (at 50%) from the date of appointment (22 Feb 16) to one day prior to her entry onto extended active duty date (21 Mar 16) (AFI 36-2008, para 11). Awarding credit for professional experience as defined in DoDI 6000.13, Enclosure 3, para l.c.(6), and AFI36-2005, Table 2.5., Rule 41, Credit of one-half year for each year of experience, to a maximum of 3 years may be granted for experience in a health profession.  

The applicant’s AF Form 24, Application for Appointment as Reserve of the Air Force or USAF without Component, lists her professional experience from 23 Jul 12 to present in block 25.  Authorizing her to receive a total of 2 years, 11 months and 3 days of CSC and entry grade credit.  However, to prevent awarding dual credit for a period of time that overlaps with her entry grade credit; credit for her professional experience ends the day prior to her appointment date into the reserves (22 Feb 16).  Her professional experience time also overlaps with the period of time she earned her master's degree, 21 May 12 to 21 May 14.  Therefore, she earned 10 months and 15 days of credit (at 50%) for her professional experience from 22 May 14 to 21 Feb 16, that does not overlap with her degree or entry grade credit.

It is also recommended to grant relief to change the applicant's appointment and enter onto active duty grade to reflect 1Lt.  The governing policies DoDI 6000.13, AFI36-2005 and AFI36-2008 authorizes the applicant to receive the appropriate amount of CSC to appoint and enter onto active duty in the grade of first lieutenant.  Even though the applicant received enough credit to appoint and enter onto active duty in the grade of 1Lt; she was not authorized to because her name was not approved by SecDef on a Reserve and Regular appointment nomination list for 1Lt.  If the Board grant’s relief, the applicant's name would need to be submitted on a ratification appointment list for 1Lt and approved by SecDef.

The complete copy of the AFPC/DP2N evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2LT recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant commissioned as a 2Lt Reserve MSC officer on 22 Feb 16 and entered extended active duty (EAD) as a 2Lt on 22 Mar 16.  On 27 Jul 16, her date of rank (DOR) for 2Lt was established as 7 Mar 14 based on the information provided on the DPAM Form 60, Medical Service Corp SC Constructive Credit Computation.  It is recommended the applicant’s DOR to 1Lt be established as 22 Apr 15 providing the Board grants relief to approve an appointment nomination ratification for SecDef approval.

The complete copy of the AFPC/DP2LT evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 22 Dec 16 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2N provided a revised recommendation and still recommended granting the applicant’s request, but removed their statement, “However, the board would need to grant relief to approve an appointment nomination ratification to be approved by SecDef,” and added that the applicant’s record should be corrected to show she was promoted to the grade of 1Lt with a DOR established as 22 Apr 15 with an effective DOR of 22 Mar 16.

The complete copy of the AFPC/DP2N evaluation is at Exhibit F.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the additional Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 Jul 18 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is the victim of an error.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2N and AFPC/DP2LT and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to reflect she was awarded 10 months and 15 days constructive service credit for professional experience, establishing a date of rank to First Lieutenant of 22 Apr 15, with an effective date of rank of 22 Mar 16.

CERTIFICATION:

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02554 in Executive Session on 23 May 17 and on 28 Aug 18 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

	Exhibit A. Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 24 Jun 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B. Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
	Exhibit C. Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2N, dated 26 Sep 16.
	Exhibit D. Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2LT, dated 9 Dec 16.
	Exhibit E. Notification of Advisory, AFBCMR, dated 22 Dec 16.
	Exhibit F. Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2N, dated 17 May 18.
	Exhibit G. Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC, dated 12 Jul 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9. for Docket Number BC-2016-02554.