IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 2 May 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120018852 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests promotion to master sergeant (MSG)/E-8. 2. The applicant states his records should be reviewed for promotion for the years 2000 and 2001. He claims his commanders and senior noncommissioned officers believe that an error occurred that prevented his advancement. He indicates he heard rumors from Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) personnel that someone dropped the ball and that a paperwork error prevented his consideration for promotion. 3. The applicant provides military performance documents from his record in support of his request. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant’s Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR), formerly known as the Official Military Personnel File, contains orders confirming the applicant was promoted to sergeant first class (SFC)/E-7 on 1 December 1996. The record is void of any indication that the applicant was ever denied promotion consideration for MSG/E-8. 3. The record does show that in April 2002 the applicant was relieved from his duties as an equal opportunity advisor and received a relief-for-cause noncommissioned officer evaluation report (NCOER). The senior rater, a major, indicated the applicant was relieved of his duties based on stated racist beliefs that were in conflict with Army Values and recommended the applicant not be promoted. 4. The applicant appealed the relief-for-cause report on 21 November 2002, and on 27 March 2003, the Enlisted Special Review Board (ESRB) determined the evidence did not justify altering or withdrawing the report. 5. On 31 August 2004, the applicant was honorably retired, in the grade of SFC/E-7, after completing 20 years and 4 months of active duty service. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions) prescribes the Army's enlisted promotion policy. Chapter 5 contains guidance on promotion to sergeant first class/master sergeant/sergeant major-command sergeant major and paragraph 5-33 contains guidance on promotion reconsideration by an Enlisted Standby Advisory Board (STAB). It states, in pertinent part, that STABs are convened to consider records not reviewed by a regular board and/or that were not properly constituted because of material error when reviewed by the regular board DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s request for promotion to MSG/E-8 has been carefully considered. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this claim. 2. The evidence of record and independent evidence submitted by the applicant fails to show the applicant was not considered for promotion to MSG/E-8 by a regular promotion board or that his record contained a material error that would support reconsideration for promotion for the years 2000 and 2001. 3. In view of the foregoing, absent any evidence of error or injustice in the promotion consideration process, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis to support granting the requested relief. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____x___ ____x___ ____x___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ___________x____________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120018852 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120018852 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1