RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-01826

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His rank be updated to captain (O-3) from first lieutenant (O-2).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He completed his Doctor of Business Administration degree in economics in Dec 20, which was before he joined the Air Force on 21 Feb 21. He and his recruiter wanted to wait until December to submit his scroll, however due to COVID-19 and many applicants vying for the position he submitted his AF Form 24, Application for Appointment as Reserve of the Air Force or USAF without Component, in Sep 20, prior to his Doctorate being conferred. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a first lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve (AFR) Medical Services Corps (MSC).

On 15 Sep 20, the applicant signed AF Form 24 and applied for appointment in the Ready Reserve.

On Dec 20, according to the applicant’s Report on Individual Personnel (RIP), he was awarded his Doctorate in Business Administration and Management.

On 12 Feb 21, Reserve Order XXXX shows the applicant was appointed in primary Air Force Specialty Code 41A1, Health Services Administrator, in the grade of first lieutenant (O-2) with a DOR of 5 Feb 21.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/DPAR recommends denying the application.  The applicant worked with recruiting to join the AFR as a MSC Officer in early 2021.  He signed his Oath of Office and was appointed into the AFR on 5 Feb 21.  At the time the applicant’s package was submitted, he did not hold his doctorate so he was not awarded the additional service credit to grade out as a captain.  The applicant was only credited with two years of education credit and zero for the creditable work experience.  Per the Air Force Officer Classification Directory (AFOCD) and AFMAN 36-2032, Military Recruiting and Accessions, if the applicant had a PhD when going through the appointment process, then he would have received four years for education.  Without the PhD, the applicant would need another four years of work experience, within a hospital or family practice, in order to grade out at captain (O-3).

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 Aug 21 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 ARPC/DPAR and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

4.  The applicant has not shown a personal appearance, with or without counsel, would materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

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-2021-01826 in Executive Session on 23 Sep 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 5 May 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFRC/DPAR, w/atchs, dated 11 Aug 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 20 Aug 21.

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.