RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-03582

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE	 

  	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be eligible and considered for promotion to technical sergeant (TSgt) for Cycle 17E6.    

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The determination to make him ineligible for promotion for Cycle 17E6 was based on misinterpretation of poorly written regulations, conflicting cut off dates and a demanding career.  He enrolled and completed his enlisted professional military education (EPME) at the earliest available time. 

Due to his demanding duties as a Survive, Evade, Rescue Escape (SERE) Operations Flight Manager and permanent change of station (PCS) assignment, he requested an extension for completion of his Course 15.  The extension was granted to 5 Jun 17.   On 11 Apr 17, he completed his final test.  

In Jul 17, after the promotion release, he checked his virtual military personnel flight (vMPF) records and his data verification rip (DVR) showed he was ineligible as a result of not completing his EPME prior to the promotion eligibility cutoff date (PECD).  After reading AFI 36-2301, Developmental Education, it became clear as to how the oversight occurred.  

He was not properly informed of the cutoff date.  He was never notified by his command he would be ineligible for promotion if he did not complete Course 15 by any date other than the one listed by AU.  He had a valid extension and completed his EPME well before that date.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a staff sergeant in the Air Force.

His DVR dated 20 Jul 17, reflects the PECD for Cycle 17E6 as 31 Jan 17 and his status as “ineligible-required PME not completed.”

The applicant completed his Course 15 on 7 Apr 17.  

He provides a letter of support from the SERE Career Field Manager dated 26 Jul 17, which states the applicant would not have allowed himself to miss an opportunity or meet an Air Force requirement.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3DW recommends denial.  The applicant was properly informed of his EPME requirements.  Further, duties or permanent change of station (PCS) is not sufficient justification for incompletion as thousands of airmen were subjected to the same factors and either successfully completed the course prior to expiration or received adverse actions.    

In accordance with the previous EPME Distance Learning (DL) guidance, the applicant was notified of the requirements to complete Course 15, via the Oracle Right Now email marketing service.  In the notification, airmen were informed of the requirement to complete their assigned DL course within 12 months of their respective notification and advised adverse actions may occur if not completed.  There was also supplementary guidance that emphasized the difference between AU course enrollment extensions and the military personnel data system (MilPDS) notification suspense date.  The complete advisory, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 27 Aug 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

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 not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3DW and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-03582 in Executive Session on 9 Oct 18:

 , Panel Chair
 , Panel Member
 , Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 25 Jul 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3DW, w/atchs, dated 22 Mar 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 27 Aug 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.