RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-03394

XXXXXXXXXX (APPLICANT)	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

She receive Special Board consideration for promotion to lieutenant colonel (O-5) for the Calendar Year 2021 (CY21) Air Force Reserve (AFR) Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel Position Vacancy (PV) Promotion Selection Board (U0521A).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS 

She was eligible to meet the U0521A promotion board and was nominated for consideration by her senior rater.  On 23 Apr 21, her promotion recommendation form (PRF) was submitted via myPers.  On 19 May 21 ARPC/PB reviewed the PRF and replied requesting action: “The member may be considered for nomination if assigned to a higher graded position forty-five (45) days prior to the board convening date.  Please resubmit PRF on the same myPers request incident NLT three (3) duty days.”  However, the Military Personnel Flight (MPF) did not meet the suspense because they never received the notification from ARPC/PB and were unaware of the action request.  Due to the ARPC/PB oversight and the MPF missing the suspense, she was inaccurately deemed ineligible and did not meet the U0521A promotion board, which convened on 7 Jun 21.  On 6 Oct 21, the commander noticed she was not on listed on the select or non-select list, and confirmed the applicant met the position requirement to be eligible for the PV Board.  She was advised by ARPC/PB and the MPF to request an opportunity to meet the next Special Board. 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air Force Reserve major (O-4).

According to ARPC 20-31, CY21 Air Force Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Selection Boards Convening Notice, Milestones and Notable Dates, dated 10 Dec 21: 

Day	Date		
-45	23 Apr 21	All PRFs due: No PV PRFs will be accepted after this date	
0	7 Jun 21	Board convenes at HQ ARPC	

According to a screenshot from the Military Personnel Data System (MilPDS) effective 15 Apr 21 and provided by the applicant, she was assigned to the authorized lieutenant colonel position number 0M0810941.

On 22 Apr 21, according to AF Form 709, Promotion Recommendation, provided by the applicant, her senior rater signed and recommended her for a PV promotion in vacancy number 0081009410M for the U0521A promotion board.   

On 5 May 21, the Unit Personnel Manpower Roster, provided by the applicant, shows she was assigned to the authorized lieutenant colonel position number 08109410M.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/PB, recommends granting the applicant’s request for a Special Board in lieu of the CY21 AFR Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel Position Vacancy Board due to an error in procedure.  On 10 Dec 20,  ARPCM 20-31, Change 2,  CY21 USAFR Line and Nonline Lt Col PV Promotion Convening Notice, was released to Military Personnel Sections and posted on the myPers website.  The ARPCM clearly stipulates 23 Apr 21 as the deadline for submission of PRFs by nominating officers for PV consideration.  The applicant’s PRF was submitted on 23 Apr 21; however, due to an administrative error, MilPDS did not indicate she was in a higher graded billet at the time of the submission of her PRF.  On 19 May 21, ARPC/PBE notified the unit the applicant was ineligible to meet the board and requested a correction to her record.  The unit indicated they never received the notification and therefore did not take any action.  The applicant was eligible to meet the CY21 AFR Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel PV Selection Board because the original PRF submitted included the higher graded position number and a manning document dated 5 May 21 indicated the applicant was in a higher graded position.  

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit B.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 9 Nov 21 for comment (Exhibit C), 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.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of ARPC/PB and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  The Board notes the applicant was in fact eligible for the CY 21 USAFR Lieutenant Colonel PV Selection Board, because she was assigned to an authorized lieutenant colonel position and her PRF was submitted to ARPC/PB ahead of the suspense.  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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that she be provided Special Board consideration for the Calendar Year 2021 Air Force Reserve Line and Nonline Lieutenant Colonel Promotion Vacancy  Selection Board.  

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-2021-03394 in Executive Session on 20 Jan 22:

, 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 20 Oct 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, ARPC/PB, w/atchs, dated 9 Nov 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 9 Nov 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.