RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-05346

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO	

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and military personnel records, be corrected to reflect the  rank of brigadier general (O-7), instead of colonel (O-6).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

At the time of his retirement on 31 Jul 17, the Air Force had not published his promotion order to brigadier general.  His promotion to O-7 was formally approved by the Secretary of the Air Force on 21 Jul 17.  The promotion order was finally published retroactively (effective 1 Aug 17) by the Air Force Colonel's Group on 26 Oct 17.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a retired Air Force colonel.  He was credited with 34 years, 2 months and 24 days of total service.

On 21 Jul 17, the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council approved the applicant’s retirement in the grade of brigadier general.

On 26 Oct 17, the applicant was retired grade of brigadier general, effective 1 Aug 17.  His highest rank held on active duty was colonel.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AF/DPO recommends denying the application since there is no error or omission of fact.  Tombstone promotions are specific to the Permanent Professor program and the Permanent Professor is retired in the rank of brigadier general, not while serving on active duty.  

In accordance with Title 10 U.S.C., Section 8962, permanent professors whose service has been distinguished may be recommended for retirement in the “honorary” grade of brigadier general. The Secretary has delegated to the Air Force Personnel Council the authority to approve “tombstone” promotions.  AFPC and SAF Personnel Council confirmed that the actions taken were accurate, his DD Form 214 and retirement order are currently accurate and he is entitled to a retirement ID card with the rank of brigadier general.

The complete advisory 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 24 Jan 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 AF/DPO 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-2017-05346 in Executive Session on 20 Jun 18:

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 12 Dec 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AF/DPO, dated 7 Jan 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 24 Jan 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.