RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-00408

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

A retroactive acceleration of his date of rank (DOR) to the grade of lieutenant colonel reflect 30 September 2016 rather than 1 October 2016.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The XXXXXXX submitted an AF 2096, Classification/On-The-Job Training Action, on 1 February 2016 to move him into a 0-5 billet with the intention of him taking that rank as quickly as possible, and for reasons beyond his control, an error or negligence occurred.  He was selected on the V0516A Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Board with a DOR of 1 October 2016.  The AS/CC requested an early promotion and it was discovered that the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) action did not happen, thus not allowing him an early promotion.  This error and injustice will negatively impact his career.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel (0-5).

Reserve Order BA-16150, dated 22 September 2016, reflects the applicant was promoted in the Reserve of the Air Force to the grade of lieutenant colonel effective and with a DOR of 1 October 2016.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/PB recommends denying the application.  The applicant was eligible for and met the Calendar Year 2016 (CY16) United States Air Force Reserve (USAFR) Line Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Board.  He was selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel with a projected DOR of 1 October 2016, in accordance with the release ARPC Memorandum for this board, ARPCM 16-23, Release Instructions – CY16 United States Air Force Reserve Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Boards – V0516A, W0516A, U0516A, dated 1 September 2016.

No accelerated promotion request for the applicant was ever received regardless of the position number he was or was not assigned to, and no evidence of the required senior rater approval/endorsement was provided.  Since no request was made, the applicant was not eligible to receive an accelerated promotion.

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 2 June 2020 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 11 June 2020.  In his response, the applicant contended    due to an oversight, his paperwork for the manning change was not completed and his early promotion was not officially requested.  His squadron commander intended to promote him early and asked the Military Personnel Flight to complete the paperwork.  His squadron commander had serious health issues and lost track of the process.  Changing his DOR by one day allows him to go before the 2020 Colonel Promotion Board.   

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.
	
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 rater and senior rater supporting statements indicate that it is with certainty if not for the various obstacles that prevented the timely promotion submission, the applicant’s 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 that his Date of Rank to the grade of lieutenant colonel reflect 30 September 2016 rather than 1 October 2016.

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-2020-00408 in Executive Session on 6 October 2020:

Mr., Panel Chair, AFBCMR
Mr., Panel Member
Mr., Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 13 November 2019.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, ARPC/PB, w/atchs, dated 20 March 2020.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 2 June 2020.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s response, w/atch, dated 11 June 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.