RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 May 2007 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070000496 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. Mr. Gerard W. Schwartz Acting Director Mr. Michael L. Engle Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Ms. Yolanda Maldonado Chairperson Ms. LaVerne M. Douglas Member Mr. Gerald J. Purcell Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his military records to add 2 years of constructive service credit for his Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences (Immunology). 2. The applicant states that he was not granted constructive credit at the time of his entry into active duty for his Master of Science Degree in biomedical Sciences (Immunology). The degree was the basis for work he performed in the field of tumor immunology while on active duty as a Medical Corps officer. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his transcripts from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Curriculum Vitae, and orders to active duty. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. On 17 December 1993, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, conferred the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences Degree on the applicant. 2. On 11 June 1999, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve Commissioned Officer of the Army in the rank of captain, with concurrent call to active duty. His basic branch was medical. His specialty was 61F9B (Internist). He was given a date of rank 6 June 1999. The applicant's appointment orders indicate that he was to receive 4 years of entry grade service credit. This service credit is not valid for pay entry basic date and it is not the result of prior military service. 3. In the processing of this case, a staff advisory opinion was obtained from the Director of Medical Education, Graduate Medical Education Division, Office of the Surgeon General, Falls Church, Virginia. He opined that under Department of Defense Directive 6000.13, paragraph 6.1.2.2.2, the applicant is authorized and should be credited with 2 years constructive service credit for his Master of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences. 4. On 18 April 2007, the applicant concurred with this advisory opinion. 5. Department of Defense Directive 6000.13, paragraph 6.1.2.2.2, is the governing directive in granting constructive credit. It provides that 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence clearly shows that the applicant obtained a qualifying advanced degree, in addition to his General Medical Doctor Degree. He was not properly granted constructive credit for this advanced degree at the time of his entry on active duty. 2. Therefore, the applicant’s request should be granted. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding 2 years of constructive credit. _ _Yolanda Maldonado____ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR20070000496 SUFFIX RECON DATE BOARDED 20070515 TYPE OF DISCHARGE DATE OF DISCHARGE DISCHARGE AUTHORITY DISCHARGE REASON BOARD DECISION GRANT REVIEW AUTHORITY ISSUES 1. 102.0800.0000 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.