RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2022-01328

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: XX
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He receives one (1) year constructive service credit (CSC) for his Master of Science in Medical Science degree to adjust his date of rank (DOR) from 21 May 17 to 21 May 16. 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

At the time he applied for the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP), he had already completed a Master of Science in Medical Science (MSMS), an advanced degree.  He was strongly encouraged to sign up for the HPSP and was informed that the advanced degree would be later applied against his date of rank (DOR): however, this never happened.  He has exhausted all other options, from his career field functional managers to multiple myPers submissions.  As his advanced degree was a one-year master’s program, he kindly requests his consideration for CSC be approved and that his DOR be adjusted and reflect 21 May 16.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air Force Medical Corps (MC) captain (O-3).   

On 4 Jun 17, according to AF IMT 766, Extended Active Duty Order, Special Order XXXXX, dated 23 Mar 17, the applicant entered active duty in primary Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 44G1, General Practice Physician and in the grade of captain (O-3).

On 12 Jun 17, according to DPAM Form 60, MC-HSPS Constructive Credit Computation, the applicant received the following grade credit: 04-00-00 grade credit for MD/DO degree;  
00-00-13 grade credit for RESAF/Inactive/MC/03/20170521-20170603, for a total grade credit of 04-00-13.  He received 00-00-00 grade credit for Post-Graduate Training and no grade credit for additional degree.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

According to Department of the Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 36-2032, Military Recruiting and Accessions, Constructive Service Credit is to provide grade and date of rank comparability for an individual who begins commission service after obtaining the additional education, training, or experience required for appointment, designation, or assignment as a commissioned officer in a professional field relative to a contemporary who began commissioned service immediately after obtaining a baccalaureate degree.  Constructive service credit credited an officer under paragraph 5.12.7 is used only for determining the officer’s: initial grade as an officer; Rank in grade; and Service in grade for promotion eligibility.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP2N recommends denying the applicant’s request for CSC for his master’s degree in Medical Science.  The applicant’s Medical Corps functional manager reviewed his Master of Science degree transcript in Medical Science and denied service credit.  The functional manager determined that in accordance with AFMAN 36-2032, the applicant’s additional degree does not add adjunctive skills to his primary specialty, nor does it contribute directly to the performance of his appointed specialty.

Based on a review of the documentation provided by the applicant, the applicant’s official military records, and analysis of the facts there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant’s constructive service credit should remain unchanged, and his date of rank is correct as 21 May 17.

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 25 Jul 22 for comment (Exhibit D), and the applicant responded on 7 Aug 22 (Exhibit E).  In his response, he contends that he believes his MSMS course work all add adjunctive skills and contribute directly to his performance in his specialty.  The extra degree in Medical Science makes him a better doctor and he uses that knowledge base every day to help his patients.  To deny service credit and determine that the MSMS degree does not add adjunctive skill to the primary specialty or contribute directly to performance in the specialty is denying that a physician is not made better by coursework in such topics as health disparities and ethics, just to name a few.   

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 not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2N and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions. The Board finds that his constructive service computation is accurate, and his date of rank correctly reflects 21 May 17.  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-2022-01328 in Executive Session on 16 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 12 May 22.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2N, w/atchs, dated 18 Jul 22.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 25 Jul 22.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s Response, w/atchs, dated 7 Aug 22.

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.