MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  10 June 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2002082313

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		Member	
	Ms. Shirley Powell		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, that he be promoted to Sergeant, E-5.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he was hospitalized and placed on a profile due to a racially-based attack against him and fellow black soldiers.  He was then taken off the promotion list, even after he made the cutoff score for promotion.

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

He enlisted in the Regular Army on 3 December 1993.  He was promoted to Specialist, E-4 in military occupational specialty (MOS) 68B on 1 June 1995.

On an unknown date, the applicant was placed on the E-5 promotion recommendation list.

On 16 September 1997, the applicant was released from the Primary Leadership Development Course (PLDC) for failing to achieve course standards.  He returned to PLDC the following year.  He was released from PLDC on 24 July 1998 for again failing to achieve course standards.

On an unknown date, the applicant was assigned to duty in Hungary.  On 21 May 2000, he was on rest and relaxation when he was assaulted in a bar.  At the time, he was diagnosed with a brain concussion and contusions of the elbow and humerus.  A presumptive In Line of Duty finding was made.  Shortly thereafter, he developed migraines and post-traumatic stress disorder.

On 28 February 2003, the applicant was released from active duty and placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List in pay grade E-4.  

In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the U. S. Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM).  PERSCOM noted that the applicant met an announced cutoff score for promotion to Sergeant for MOS 68B on 1 May 1998; however, he was not qualified for promotion due to not completing PLDC.  PERSCOM stated the applicant was removed from the promotion recommended list due to implementation of a new Army policy.  The policy states that soldiers on the promotion recommended list who have failed the required noncommissioned officer education system (NCOES) and as of       1 December 1999 have not been rescheduled or enrolled in that course will be removed from the promotion recommended list.  The applicant had not been rescheduled to attend PLDC.  

A copy of the advisory opinion was provided to the applicant for comment or rebuttal.  He did not respond within the given time frame.

Army Regulation 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions and Reductions) provides in pertinent part that soldiers are required to be graduates of PLDC prior to promotion to Sergeant.  Soldiers are allowed to compete for promotion to Sergeant but cannot be promoted until completion of PLDC.  A soldier will be removed from a recommended list when he or she fails the required NCOES for cause or academic reasons.

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

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant attended, but failed to complete for academic reasons, PLDC in September 1997 and in July 1998.  He could not have been promoted to Sergeant on 1 May 1998 because he had failed PLDC.

2.  PERSCOM advised that the applicant was removed from the promotion recommended list in December 1999 due to implementation of a new Army policy requiring his removal because he had failed PLDC and had never been rescheduled to attend.  

3.  The applicant was not injured in the attack in Hungary until May 2000.  There is no evidence of record and he provides none to show he recompeted for promotion and was placed back on a recommended list after 1 December 1999.  Therefore, the fact he was in the disability processing system was irrelevant.  

4.  The applicant would not have been eligible for promotion to Sergeant, E-5 in any case since he did not complete the required PLDC.

5.  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

__sc___  ___jm___  __sp____  DENY APPLICATION

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

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002082313	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030610	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	131.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.