IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 26 February 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140000330 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests removal of a Bachelor of Science degree from her Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR). 2. The applicant states she has a Bachelor of Science degree from McFord University posted to her records. She completed the civilian and military education requirements for this degree after sending the required documents to this university. She received a degree by mail in May 2012. However, she was told by her assignment officer that the college is not recognized by the military and that the document will ultimately be viewed as derogatory. She believes if this document is not removed, it may hinder her promotion and higher education. She was told although this is an accredited school it is not regionally accredited and is not recognized by the military. 3. The applicant provides a Bachelor of Science degree certificate from McFord University. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Having had prior enlisted service (10 February 2000 to 3 March 2010), the applicant was appointed as a Reserve warrant officer of the Army and executed the oath of office on 4 March 2010. 2. She completed the Signal Systems Support Technician Warrant Officer Basic Course and she was promoted to chief warrant officer two on 4 March 2012. 3. Her AMHRR contains and she provides a diploma issued by McFord University. 4. An internet search of McFord University revealed conflicting data. a. Some websites suggest it has no physical address in the United States and it is owned and operated by an individual in Pakistan who owns, operates and controls the Alias group of universities through an entity called Organization for Global Learning Education. McFord University claims to be an accredited online university that has been awarded the accreditation status by a global accreditation body, International Body for Online Education Accreditation, which is a self-governing and independent accreditation body. b. Other websites show this college is accredited by the International Accreditation Agency For Online Universities (IAAOU) and the Universal Council For Online Education Accreditation (UCOEA). c. Yet other websites suggest it is an online college that offers degree programs in various fields and is located in San Francisco, CA. d. The IAAOU and the UCOEA are not accrediting agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. 5. According to the official Department of Education website http://ope.ed.gov/ACCREDITATION/ McFord University is not an accredited university. 6. On 15 April 2010, Military Personnel Message Number 10-109 announced the procedures for removal of fraudulent diplomas or transcripts from a Soldier’s AMHRR (previously the official military personnel file). It provided, in pertinent part, that Soldiers were required to submit their request to have a transcript removed through their chain of command to the appropriate authority, which in this case is HRC. 7. A review of the applicant's official records failed to show any evidence that she submitted a request for removal of the transcript from her official records through her chain of command. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-104 (AMHRR Management) governs the composition of the AMHRR and states in pertinent part that the performance section is used for filing performance, commendatory and disciplinary data. Once placed in the AMHRR, the document becomes a permanent part of that file. The document will not be removed from or moved to another part of the AMHRR unless directed by certain agencies, to include this Board. Army Regulation 600-8-104 states, in pertinent part, college transcripts must be from an accredited college or university and are filed in the AMHRR as verified by the Department of Education. Officer transcripts indicating degree completion are filed in the performance folder and incomplete transcripts are filed in the service folder. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Although the official Department of Education does not show McFord University is an accredited university, the applicant’s official records do not contain any indication that she attempted to have the transcript removed using the procedures outlined in MILPER Message 10-109 and she has not sufficiently explained why she submitted the transcript for filing in her official records to begin with. Accordingly, it would not serve justice to remove the transcript from her records at this time. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____X____ ___X_____ ____X____ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _______ _ _X______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140000330 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140000330 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1