RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-01808

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE	 

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His pay grade on transfer to the Air Force from the Navy be captain with prior enlisted service (O-3E), instead of first lieutenant with prior service (O-2E).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

On 28 Aug 20, he transferred from the Navy to the Air Force in the same career field (chaplain).  His Navy records show his grade of O-3E.  However, due to administrative errors and neglect, his Navy records were not uploaded to substantiate his correct pay grade.  

A correction in his record to back date his grade and DOR is required.  He already attained the pay grade of O-3E in the Navy but was reduced in grade to O-2E.  Upon arrival at his duty station, he noticed his Navy records were not included in his Air Force records.  Per AFPC, recruiting stated he did not provide the documents at the time of his accession.  It is not reasonable to conclude he would disregard providing documentation of his 9 years of service and promotion to O-3 during his transfer.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a first lieutenant (O-2) in the Air Force.

The applicant served a period of active duty in the Navy from 9 Feb 12 to 1 Jun 16 and was honorably discharged in the pay grade of E-3.  He was credited with 4 years, 3 months and 23 days of active duty service.  

The applicant provides Navy Officer Appointment Acceptance and Oath of Office showing he was appointed in the Navy as a Reserve Officer on 28 Jul 16 in Designator “1945-Chaplain Student.”  

The applicant provides Navy Administration message dated 26 May 20 announcing his promotion to lieutenant (O-3).  He also provides leave and earnings statement (LES) for pay period ending 29 Jul 20 showing his pay grade as O-3E.  

On 27 Aug 20, the applicant separated from the Navy and transferred to the Air Force. He entered active duty in the Air Force on 28 Aug 20 in the grade of first lieutenant as a chaplain per the  AF IMT 766, Extended Active Duty Order, Special Order AI-67, dated 28 Jul 20.  

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY/GUIDANCE

AFMAN 36-2032, Military Recruiting and Accessions, Table 5.4, Service Credit for Chaplain Officers, Note 5, For the purpose of determining service credit for reappointment as a chaplain, chaplain candidate service is not creditable.  

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP2H recommends approval for the correction of the applicant to enter active duty in the grade of captain (O3-E), date of rank 1 Jun 20, with an effective date of rank of 29 Aug 21.  The applicant separated from the Navy on 27 Aug 20 and entered the Air Force on 28 Aug 20 as a chaplain.  The applicant’s documents were not included in his accession file provided to AFPC Chaplain Corps office and subsequently were forwarded to the Service Dates Verification Office.  

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 8 Sep 21 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION

In a revised advisory, AFPC/DP2H recommends denial.  The applicant promoted to the grade of lieutenant (O-3) in the Navy with Chaplain Candidate Designator Code (1945) and is therefore ineligible to transfer with the commiserate grade in accordance with AFMAN 36-2032, Table 5.4, Service Credit for Chaplain Officers, Note 5, “For the purpose of determining service credit for reappointments as a chaplain, chaplain candidate service is not creditable.”  Therefore the applicant was accessed onto active duty in the grade of first lieutenant.

The complete advisory is at Exhibit E.  

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the revised advisory opinion to the applicant on 1 Oct 21 for comment (Exhibit F), 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 the revised AFPC/DP2H advisory, dated 23 Sep 21 and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.   In this respect, AFMAN 36-2032 specifically states service as a chaplain candidate is not creditable for reappointment as a chaplain.   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-2021-01808 in Executive Session on 12 Oct 21 and 2 Nov 21:

 , 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 3 May 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2H, w/atchs, dated 27 Aug 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 8 Sep 21.
Exhibit E:  Revised Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2H, dated 23 Sep 21.
Exhibit F:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 1 Oct 21.
Exhibit G: Applicable Guidance, AFMAN 36-2032, Table 5.4.

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.