RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2016-02733
		
						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded constructive service credit (CSC) for his advanced degree and his military record be corrected to show that he was assessed in the grade of First Lieutenant (1Lt), O-2 and not Second Lieutenant (2Lt), O-1.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He did not receive CSC for his Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)/ Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration when he was accessed to active duty.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of 1Lt, O-2.

On 2 May 15, the applicant was awarded a Master’s of Science Degree in Health Care Administration.

On 8 Feb 16, the applicant was appointed to Air Force Reserve, under Reserve Order D-0123, dated 3 Mar 16, in the grade of 2Lt.

On 3 Mar 16, the applicant’s DPAM Form 60, Medical Service Corps (MSC) Constructive Credit Computation, reflects 2 years CAHME accredited and states, “Although member has credit equivalent to a 1LT; member was scrolled and will assess as a 2Lt. 

On 28 Mar 16, the applicant entered extended active duty, under Special Order AH-0191, dated 3 Mar 16.

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 and D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:

AFRS/RSOC recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant had the requisite CSC at the time of his original commissioning to O-2, however his Regular Air Force Scroll for O-2 1Lt was not yet approved.  His Reserve Air Force Scroll for O-1 was approved and he chose to enter as an O-1 and to submit a request to the AFBCMR at a later time.  His Regular Air Force Scroll has been approved and it is recommended his personnel records be corrected reflecting he was scrolled onto active duty in the grade of 1Lt, O-2.

A complete copy of the AFRS/RSOC evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DP2N recommends granting the applicant’s request, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant should have been awarded 2 years CSC for his master’s degree in accordance with (IAW) DoDI 6000.13, Medical Manpower and Personnel, para 6.1.2.2.2 and AFI 36 2005, Appointment in Commissioned Grades and Designation and Assignment in Professional Categories – Reserve of the Air Force and United States Air Force, Tables 2.5, Rule 5, and Table 2.7, Rule 23, state credit for master’s degrees in a health profession…may be awarded based on actual full-time equivalent education of up to 2 years for a master’s degree and if the officer has a master’s in Public Health then it may be creditable to a medical corps officer…amount of service credit awarded is 1 year for each school year not to exceed 24 months for a master’s degree.  The governing policies authorize the applicant to receive service credit; however the pertinent document was missing from his initial accession file.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2N evaluation is at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 3 Aug 17 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  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 OPRs and adopt their 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 he was awarded 2 years constructive service credit for completion of his master’s degree, establishing a date of rank to First Lieutenant of 3 Mar 16, with an effective date of rank to First Lieutenant of 28 Mar 16. 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02733 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 pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02733 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 24 Jun 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFRS/RSOCN, dated 29 Sep 16.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2N, dated 13 Jan 17, w/atchs.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 3 Aug 17.

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.