RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2018-00097

 	COUNSEL: NONE	 

  	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive 24-months constructive service credit (CSC) for his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

In accordance with AFI 36-2005, Officer Accessions, he should receive CSC for his degree obtained prior to his accession as a medical corps (MC) officer.    He was given CSC for his prior active duty service but not for his advanced degree.  His initial request for CSC for his degree was denied; however, there is compelling justification and multiple examples of other neurology officers being awarded CSC for non-medical advanced degrees.  

The denial of his CSC is not well founded.  He provides letters from the Neurology and the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Consultants to the Air Force Surgeon General (AF/SG), which states his mechanical engineering degree was instrumental in his selection for the Neurology Residency Program.  It also adds adjunctive skills and benefits more than other advanced degrees in traditionally medically relevant fields.  He has already used the computational modeling skills as the Computational Lead for the Blast TBI Project.  Additionally, recent guidance from the AF/SG states Neurology is a critically undermanned specialty and that additional CSC can be awarded.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a captain in the Air Force.  His date of rank (DOR) is 27 Nov 13 and his effective date of promotion is 1 Jun 16.  

According to DPAM Form 60, Constructive Service Credit Computation, dated 5 May 16 he was awarded CSC for his medical doctorate degree and his prior active duty and Reserve inactive duty service but not for his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.  

The applicant provides letters of support from the AF/SG Consultants for Neurology and TBI, dated 21 Dec 17.   For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2LT recommends denial.  Per DODI 6000.13, Accession and Retention Policies, Programs and Incentives for Military Health Professions Officers (HPOs), credit is awarded for any period of advanced education in a health profession (other than medicine and dentistry) if such education will be directly used by the Military Department.  AFI 36-2005 specifically excludes MC officers from receiving credit for master’s degrees in engineering.  The AFPC MC functional manager (FAM) reviewed and denied service credit for his master’s degree in mechanical engineering.  His master’s degree in mechanical engineering is not considered to add adjunctive skills to his primary specialty or contribute to the performance of his duty as a Neurology Resident.  Since 2009, the MC FAM has consistently disapproved CSC for 15 engineering degrees (to include four mechanical engineering degrees).    In an attached memorandum dated 12 Apr 18, the MC FAM noted disapproval for CSC.  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 18 Jun 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.  While it appears the applicant’s master’s degree in mechanical engineering has helped him in performing his duties, the applicant is not eligible for additional CSC per criteria established in DODI 6000.13 and AFI 36-2005.  In view of this, the Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2LT 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-2018-00097 in Executive Session on 24 Jul 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 26 Dec 17
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2LT, w/atchs, dated 17 Apr 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 18 Jun 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.