RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-02406
				INDEX CODE:  131.00

	APPLICANT 	COUNSEL:  None

	SSN		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be reconsidered for promotion to colonel by a special selection board (SSB).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

There was communication relayed to the board members regarding her board certification that was not based on what was in her official record.  She further contends that she was not afforded the opportunity to address the board regarding the issue of being board certified.  Additionally, the citation to accompany the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) for the period Jun 95 through Aug 98 was not in her officer selection record (OSR).

In support of her appeal, she submitted a personal statement, copies of her certification, copies of OPRs, and officer selection brief.

Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of lieutenant colonel.

Applicant was considered, but not selected for promotion to the grade of colonel by the Calendar Year 2001A (CY01A) central selection board.

Applicant’s OPR profile as a lieutenant colonel is listed below.

			PERIOD ENDING		OVERALL EVALUATION

			  28 Feb 98		Meets Standards
			  28 Feb 99		Meets Standards

			 *29 Feb 00		Meets Standards
			  28 Feb 01		Meets Standards

*Top Report on file at time of CY01A Colonel Selection Board.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPMAF2 states the three certificates the applicant submitted to verify that she was board certified were not issued from an acceptable professional organization.  The military personnel flight (MPF) erroneously updated the system reflecting that the applicant was board certified.  The applicant's last accreditable board certification expired in Nov 99.  After the selection board inquiry as to the applicant's current status for board certification, the board was advised by the AFPC Nurse Corps Education Processor that the applicant had not submitted a certificate from an accredited board or agency (Exhibit C).

HQ AFPC/DPPPO states that the citation for the applicant's DMSM was not in her OSR, however, having the citation in the record is to inform the board of the level of the decoration and not for the board to review the comments, although they made do so if they desire.  The DMSM was reflected in the applicant's officer selection brief (OSB) and in the personnel data system (PDS).  Also, there was a discrepancy letter filed on top of the applicant's OSR to inform the board members that the citation was not in the record.  DPPPO further states that the central selection board evaluates the entire OSR and considers whole person factors.  The selection board had the applicant's entire OSR, including the OSB during promotion consideration.  Also, all accomplishments on the DMSM were reflected on the applicant's officer performance report (OPR). Based on the evidence provided DPPPO recommends denying the applicant's request to be reconsidered for promotion to colonel (Exhibit D).

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 2 Nov 01, for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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 in warranting favorable consideration of the applicant’s request.  With respect to the board certification issue, we note that the applicant’s  qualifying  board certification was  for the period 1 December 1994 to 30 November 1999.  As a result, her records were updated to reflect proper board certification at that time.  The applicant apparently believed she continued to be board certified, as evidenced by the certificates she submits.  However, it appears that the organization from which she has received this current certification is not recognized by the Air Force as an accredited board or agency and her records should not reflect board certification.  Nevertheless, it appears that her MPF erroneously updated her records to reflect this certification.  Therefore, when her record was reviewed by the selection board, there was no current documentation to support the “Board Certified” -“Yes” on her Officer Selection Brief.  As a result, the selection board was apparently advised that she was not board certified; however, it cannot be determined with certainty, what was briefed to the selection board members.  In any event, the applicant was not afforded the opportunity to submit a letter to the selection board explaining her credentials.  While it cannot be determined with certainty whether the lack of board certification was the sole reason for her nonselection to the grade of colonel, we believe it served to deprive her of full and fair consideration.  In view of this situation, we believe her records should be corrected by removing the “Yes” from the Board Certified portion of the Officer Selection Brief and she should be provided Special Selection Board (SSB) consideration.  We would encourage the applicant to pursue proper board certification in the future.

4.	With regard to the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, we note that while the Officer Selection Brief reflected she was awarded this decoration, the written citation was missing from the record.  Again, we believe this served to deprive her of full and fair consideration and, therefore, recommend it be added to her record when it is considered by the aforementioned SSB.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the Officer Selection Brief prepared for the Calendar Year 2001A Central Colonel Selection Board be amended by changing the block "Board Certified" from "Yes" to "No."

		It is further recommended that her records, to include the citation to accompany the award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) for the period June 1995 through August 1998 be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001A Central Colonel Selection Board.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 9 January 2002, 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 15 Aug 01, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Officer Selection Brief.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPMAF2, dated 14 Sep 01.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPPO, dated 25 Oct 01.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 2 Nov 01.

                                   

AFBCMR 01-02406
INDEX CODE:  131.00

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

		Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

		The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, SSN, be corrected to show that the Officer Selection Brief prepared for the Calendar Year 2001A Central Colonel Selection Board be amended by changing the block "Board Certified" from "Yes" to "No."

		It is further directed that her records, to include the citation to accompany the award of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (DMSM) for the period June 1995 through August 1998 be considered for promotion to the grade of colonel by a Special Selection Board for the Calendar Year 2001A Central Colonel Selection Board.