MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  9 January 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR1999033658

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Paul A. Petty		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Mr. Eric N. Andersen		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, additional constructive credit for grade for a two year Master’s Degree in Education above the four years constructive credit granted him for completion of medical school.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 6000.13, subparagraphs 6.1.2 and 6.1.2.2.3, that he should be granted constructive credit for grade for his Masters Degree in Education as an adjunctive skill to his primary degree and specialty as a Doctor of Ophthalmology.  The applicant provides a copy of his Master’s Degree in Education diploma and his transcripts for the degree.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

That he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 17 April 1996 under the Health Professional Scholarship Program which provided him a scholarship for attendance at the New York Medical College to obtain a medical degree.  On 
14 May 1999, he completed his Medical Degree (MD) and was granted four years constructive credit for grade for this degree.  He was appointed to the rank of Captain in the Medical Corps on 14 May 1999 and called on active duty.  He was assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC) for an internship in ophthalmology which he completed on 30 June 2000.  He is now assigned to MAMC as a resident doctor in ophthalmology.

On 27 May 1988, a Master’s Degree in Education was conferred on the applicant by the Sarah Lawrence College of Bronxville, New York.  The master’s degree was earned through a five year dual credit (undergraduate and graduate) program where he was given dual credit for some undergraduate courses toward his graduate master’s degree.  He received a Baccalaureate Degree in Liberal Arts for his first four of the five years of study.  An additional fifth year of study in graduate level courses was required to receive his master’s degree.  In the dual program, he earned a total 144 credits to receive both degrees.

The Director of Medical Education, Office of the Surgeon General of the Army, has provided an opinion that stated, “The Master’s Degree in Education for (the applicant) has been reviewed for the purpose of determining if any constructive credit for grade above the four years given for completion of medical school is warranted.  Based on careful review, the Medical Education Directorate supports the request.”  The applicant concurred with this advisory opinion.

The Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, dated 30 June 1997, subject: Medical Manpower and Personnel, states in pertinent part:

	6.1.2. Constructive Service Credit.  This credit provides a person who begins commissioned service after obtaining the additional education, training, or experience required for appointment, designation, or assignment as an officer in a health profession, with a grade and date of rank comparable to that attained by officers who begin commissioned service after getting a baccalaureate degree and serve for the period of time it would take to obtain the additional education. Constructive service credit shall be determined according to the following guidelines:

6.1.2.2.  Constructive service credit shall be awarded as follows:

6.1.2.2.1.  Four years of constructive service credit shall be granted for completion of first professional degrees that include medical (M.D.), osteopathy (D.O.), dental (D.D.S. or D.M.D.), optometry (O.D.), podiatry (Pod.D. or D.P.), veterinary (D.V.M.), and pharmacy (Ph.D.). 

6.1.2.2.2.  Credit for master’s and doctorate degrees in a health profession other than medicine and dentistry, whether it is the primary degree or an additional advanced degree, shall be awarded based on actual full-time equivalent education of up to two years for a master’s degree and up to four years for a doctorate.  Credit may not include time spent in attainment of baccalaureate or other lower degrees. No additional credit may be given for more than one advanced degree in a single field, or closely related field.  The total credit allowed for having both a master’s and a doctorate degree may not exceed the maximum allowed for a doctorate.

6.1.2.2.3.  The additional degree must add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in the anticipated position in the Military Service concerned.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, and advisory opinion, it is concluded:

1.  The DODI 6000.13, section 6.1.2.2.2, states that in order to award service credit for an adjunctive skill, the master’s degree must be, “in a health profession other than medicine and dentistry.”  A Master’s Degree in Education does not meet this definition as it is not an advanced degree in a health profession.

2.  The applicant has failed to demonstrate or otherwise provide evidence that his Master’s Degree in Education is an adjunctive skill according to the DODI 6000.13.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__mm___  __ea__  __cg____  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999033658	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010109	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.129.01	Svc Credit	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.