RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            04 MARCH 2003                 
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003092998

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Kathleen A. Newman		Chairperson	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		Member	
	Mr. Eric N. Andersen		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).

THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:  

1.  The applicant requests that he be promoted to sergeant, pay grade E-5, effective and with a date of rank of 1 July 2001.

2.  The applicant states that upon his arrival at his duty station he provided documents regarding his promotion under the provisions of the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (CASP); however, he was informed that he [the applicant] misinterpreted its meaning – that no one could be promoted in that manner.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of a 12 April 2001 order assigning him to Fort Meade, Maryland; a copy of an order promoting him to sergeant effective and with a date of rank of 1 October 2002; a copy of an information paper on CASP promotions; a copy of a DA Form 3286-68 (Statement for Enlistment – United States Army/Army Reserve Civilian Acquired Skills Enlistment Program); a copy of a certificate showing that he completed a course in surgical technology; and copies of memorandums to this Board from the Army Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC) at Fort Meade recommending that the applicant be promoted effective and with a date of rank of 1 July 2001. 

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 

1.  The applicant was a prior service Soldier who enlisted in the Army for six years in pay grade E-4 on 12 April 2001.  His enlistment documents show that he enlisted under the provisions of the CASP for MOS (military occupational specialty) 91D, operating room specialist.  He stated that he understood that enlistment under that program authorized him to be advanced in grade based upon his demonstrated skill, proficiency, and conduct as a soldier.  He indicated that he would be advanced to pay grade E-5 in accordance with Army Regulation 601-210 provided he received a recommendation from his commander.  He stated that he understood that promotion was not automatic but depended upon his demonstration of proficiency, skill, and conduct.

2.  The applicant was assigned to Fort Meade, Maryland with a reporting date of 22 April 2001.  On 3 February 2003 he was promoted to sergeant, pay          grade E-5, effective and with a date of rank of 1 July 2001.  On 10 February 2003 the order effecting his promotion was revoked.  On 18 March 2003 he was promoted to sergeant, effective and with a date of rank of 1 October 2002.

3.  On 12 March 2003 the Chief, Operating Room nurse at the MEDDAC at Fort Meade stated that the applicant was not promoted in a timely manner.  She stated that he successfully performed 8 weeks as a 91D operating room specialist and completed all the requirements for promotion.  She recommended that he be promoted effective on 1 July 2001.  The applicant's commanding officer at the MEDDAC provided a like recommendation.

4.  Army Regulation 601-210, chapter 7, provides policy and guidance for the implementation of the ACASP.  The ACASP attracts and uses persons with civilian acquired skills required by the Army.  Persons qualified for the ACASP may be given an advance in grade upon enlistment and may be entitled to accelerated promotion based on the skill level held and demonstrated duty performance.  Promotion to the accelerated grade and award of the MOS authorized by the enlistment agreement will be made either with the approval of the unit commander or by the training commander for active Army personnel, after successful completion of all training required by the enlistment program selected.  Table 7-1 lists the skills and criteria authorized for the ACASP, and states that to qualify for MOS 91D20 as an operating room specialist with later appointment to pay grade E-4 a Soldier must have one year experience as an operating room technician or have completed an operating room technician course of at least 12 weeks' duration; and must have completed 8 weeks of proficiency training as a prerequisite for award of the MOS, and be able to perform the duty requirements of the MOS before award of the MOS and promotion to an accelerated pay grade.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-19 provides for enlisted promotions and states in pertinent part that soldiers enlisted into the Army under ACASP in accordance with Army Regulation 601-210 will be promoted under this paragraph              [AR 600-8-19, paragraph 3-7].  The effective date and date of rank will be the date all requirements are met.

6.  In the processing of this case an advisory opinion was obtained from the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.  That office stated that the applicant should have been enlisted in pay grade E-3 under the provisions of the CASP, with later promotion to pay grade E-4; however, the guidance counselor [who enlisted the applicant] made an obvious error, enlisting the applicant in pay grade E-4 with later promotion to pay grade E-5; and consequently, in view of that information in his contract, the applicant believed that he would be eligible for an accelerated promotion to E-5 upon completion of proficiency training.  That office recommended that the applicant be promoted to sergeant effective and with a date of rank of 1 July 2001.  On 25 August 2003 the applicant concurred with the advisory opinion.      
 
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant executed a contract upon his enlistment in the Army that stipulated that he would be enlisted in pay grade E-4, and upon completion of proficiency training, and with the necessary recommendation, he would be promoted to pay grade E-5.       
2.  Notwithstanding the fact that his enlistment in pay grade E-4 was erroneous, the fault was not his.  He enlisted in pay grade E-4, completed the proficiency training and has been recommended for promotion to sergeant E-5 with a date of rank of 1 July 2001.  The applicant’s records should be corrected to show that he was promoted to sergeant effective and with a date of rank of 1 July 2001.  He should receive all due pay and allowances in that grade effective on 1 July 2001.
          
BOARD VOTE:

__KAN __  __KLW__  ___ENA _  GRANT RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by promoting him to sergeant, pay grade E-5, effective and with a date of rank of     1 July 2001, and that he receive all due pay and allowances in that grade effective on 1 July 2001. 

		___Kathleen A Newman_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003092998	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20040304	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	131.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.