RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-00301

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Her date of rank (DOR) be adjusted to reflect 1 September 2017.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

Her promotion action was processed a month later than her supervisor’s intent due to administrative actions not being completed by the Commanders Support Staff (CSS).

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving lieutenant colonel (O-5).

In a letter dated 27 January 2020, provided by the applicant, her former commander stated she intended to request a 1 September 2017 promotion effective date, but a family emergency prevented her timely response and submission.

According to Reserve Order ROBA-0003, dated 3 October 2017, the applicant was promoted to the grade of Lt Col, with a DOR and effective date of 6 October 2017.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/PB, recommends denying the application, indicating the accelerated promotion request was processed in accordance with (IAW) established policy. Specifically, no request for the applicant’s desired 1 September 2017 DOR or the required senior rater (SR) approval/endorsement was received. In addition, the applicant failed to provide any evidence to support her claim of incomplete actions by the CSS causing a delay in processing.
The applicant was eligible for and meet the Calendar Year 2017 (CY17) United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) Line Lt Col Promotion Selection Board. She was selected for promotion with a projected DOR of 27 April 2018 IAW the release of Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) Memorandum (ARPCM) 17-23, Release Instructions – CY17 USAFR Line and Nonline Lt Col Promotion Selection Boards – V0517A, W0517A, U0517A, dated 15 Aug 17.

IAW AFI 36-2504, Officer Promotion, Continuation and Selective Earl Removal in the Reserve of the Air Force, paragraph 6.5, requests for accelerated promotions must be submitted to HQ ARPC/PBE via vPC on the myPers website and must arrive at ARPC/PBE two business days before the proposed DOR. If not received within that timeframe, the requested accelerated promotion and accelerated promotion effective date will automatically be adjusted to reflect the date of five duty days after the application was received.

ARPC/PBE received the request for accelerated promotion (with a requested DOR and effective DOR of 1 Octobr 2017) on 30 September 2017 (Saturday), and processed the request on 2 October 2017 (Monday). Since the request was not received two business days before the proposed DOR, the accelerated DOR was adjusted five business days after receipt of the request, or 6 October 2017.

While the applicant contends the promotion action was processed a month later than the supervisor’s intent due to administrative actions not being completed by the CSS, no evidence was provided to support this claim. In addition, the letter provided by her former commander states, it was “her shortfall” and does not mention any errors by the CSS.

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 30 April 2020 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 the victim of an error or injustice. While the Board notes the recommendation of ARPC/PB against correcting the record, the Board finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions. In this respect, the applicant’s former commander supporting statement indicates that it is with certainty, if not for her family emergency that prevented the timely response and promotion submission, the applicants accelerated promotion would have occurred. Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show her date of rank (DOR) to the grade of lieutenant colonel reflect 1 September 2017 rather than 6 October 2017.

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-2020-00301 in Executive Session on 6 October 2020:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member 
, Panel Member
All members voted to correct the record. The panel considered the following: Exhibit A: Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 31 January 2020.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records. Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, ARPC/PB, w/atchs, dated 13 March 2020.
Exhibit D: Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 30 April 2020.

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.