RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-04308

	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be awarded two years (or any additional or alternative) constructive service credit.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His master of business administration degree qualifies him for two years of constructive service credit in accordance with (IAW) AFI 36-2005, Officer Training School and Enlisted Commissioning Programs, Table 10.5, Rule 43 and DoDI 6000.13, Accession and Retention Policies, Programs and Incentives for Military Health Professions Officers (HPOs), Enclosure 3. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air National Guard second lieutenant (O-1).

On 31 Dec 17, according to documentation provided by the applicant, the applicant was awarded a Master of Business Administration Degree.

On 2 Nov 18 the applicant was honorably discharged from the Air National Guard in the grade of master sergeant (E-7) and on 3 Nov 18, the applicant was appointed to the Air National Guard in the grade of second lieutenant (O-1).

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

NGB/A1PO recommends denying the application.  The applicant holds a master of business administration degree from Utica College, which is accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  Utica College is not accredited by either the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) or the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), thus the applicant’s qualifying degree does not meet the constructive service credit requirements as outlined in the ANG MSC Accessions Guide.

AFI 36-2005, T10.5, R43 designates that an individual appointing as a health services administrator may be awarded constructive service credit for completion of “a master’s degree…as determined by ARPC/DPAR upon consultation with AFRC/SG” and references Note 10. Table 10.5, Note 10 states that “NGB/A1PO approves any credit awarded under this rule on an individual basis”. The USAF Medical Service Corps (MSC) established an MSC Applicant Information Guide (adopted by the ANG) which provides eligibility criteria for application to the MSC. NGB/A1PO refers to the requirements specified in the ANG MSC Accession Guide when reviewing each and every applicant’s qualifications.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 20 May 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of NGP/A1PO and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

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-2019-04308 in Executive Session on  30 Jun 20:

Panel Chair
Panel Member
Panel Member 

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 4 Mar 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, NGB/A1PO, dated 19 May 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 20 May 20.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.