IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 March 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140016823 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 approval of constructive service credit (CSC) for his additional advanced degree and adjustment of his entry-grade date of rank (DOR). 2. The applicant states, in effect, he should have been granted additional CSC for his additional advanced degree. He was awarded 4 years of CSC for his medical degree, but he was denied up to 2 years of CSC for his master's degree in physiology despite direction from Army Regulation 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department Branches), table 3-1 (Constructive Service Credit), item 4 (Credit for Additional Advanced Degrees). 3. The applicant provides: * U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC) Orders A-04-011208, dated 12 April 2010 * extracts of Army Regulation 135-101, tables 3-1 and 3-4 (Credit for Additional Advanced Degrees) * Northeastern University Official University Transcript, date stamped 8 August 2005 * email correspondence with an HRC Medical Corps branch assignment officer, dated 12 September 2014 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on 14 July 2000 for a period of 8 years. 2. On 30 April 2005, he received a Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from Northeastern University. 3. He was discharged from the U.S. Army Reserve effective 13 April 2007 for appointment as a Reserve commissioned officer. 4. He was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer in the rank of second lieutenant effective 13 April 2007. 5. He was ordered to active duty for training for a period of 45 days in the rank of second lieutenant effective 17 August 2008 to attend the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). 6. He was ordered to active duty for training for a period of 45 days in the rank of second lieutenant effective 16 July 2009 to attend the HPSP. 7. He was ordered to active duty for training for a period of 45 days in the rank of second lieutenant effective 30 August 2009 to attend the HPSP. 8. On 29 May 2010, he received a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) degree from the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine. 9. On 6 June 2010, he executed an oath of office for appointment in the Regular Army Medical Corps in the rank of captain. 10. He was ordered to active duty to fulfill an active duty requirement effective 9 June 2010 for an indefinite period. His active duty orders state his DOR would be adjusted based on CSC of 4 years, 0 months, and 0 days. 11. He successfully completed training in Internal Medicine Residency at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2013. 12. His DA Form 5074-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit (Medical and Dental Officers)), dated 15 March 2010, shows he was awarded 4 years, 0 months, and 0 days of total CSC for the rank of captain. 13. An advisory opinion was rendered by Headquarters, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, dated 8 October 2014. The Medical Corps/Veterinary Corps Program Manager stated the applicant's CSC of 4 years, 0 months, and 0 days and entry-grade rank of CPT and DOR are correct and no adjustment to his entry-grade credit is necessary. a. He obtained a Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology on 30 April 2005 prior to his acceptance into the HSPS. b. He participated in the HPSP beginning in 2007 and received his commission as an Army Medical Corps officer on 9 June 2010. Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, section 6.1.2.2.1, states "four years of constructive service credit shall be granted for completion of first professional degrees that include medical (M.D. [Doctor of Medicine]) and osteopathy (D.O.)." He received 4 years, 0 months, and 0 days of CSC for completion of his D.O. at the Medical College of Virginia. c. Army Regulation 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department Branches), chapter 3, table 3-4, states "advanced degrees earned in the specialties listed may qualify for additional constructive credit"; however, DODI 6000.13, section 6.1.2.2.3, further stipulates that "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." His Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology does not add adjunctive skills or contribute directly to his performance as a D.O. Army Medical Corps officer. d. According to DODI 6000.13, his entry-grade credit as a captain with a DOR of 9 June 2010 based on 4 years, 0 months, and 0 days of CSC is accurate. 14. On 9 October 2014, the advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant to allow him the opportunity to submit comments in rebuttal. 15. On 17 October 2014, he responded and contested the U.S. Army Recruiting Command advisory opinion. He maintained that CSC of up to 24 months should be awarded for the graduate degree of Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology as outlined in Army Regulation 135-101, table 3-1. Additionally, he states table 3-4 lists several general advanced degrees for which knowledge is gained in standard undergraduate medical education. Placement of these degrees on the list in table 3-4 insinuates that graduate-level training in these topics provide adjunctive skills compared to that of standard undergraduate medical education. The Master of Science degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology adds many adjunctive skills that contribute directly to the performance of a military physician that are not obtained in standard undergraduate or graduate medical education. He maintains that his CSC should be adjusted to reflect the earned advanced degree of Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology. 16. Army Regulation 135-101 provides that grade and DOR upon original appointment and assignment to an Army Medical Department branch will be determined by the number of years of entry-grade credit awarded. Except as limited by maximum credit limits, entry-grade credit granted will be the sum of CSC and credit for prior active commissioned service. a. Table 3-1 states the "[d]egree must add adjunctive skills to primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in anticipated duty position. Credit is awarded based on full-time equivalent education up to 24 months for a master's degree or up to 36 months for a doctorate. Additional degree must not have been earned concurrently with primary credential. Credit includes time spent in attainment of lower degree. No additional credit will be given for more than one degree in a single field." b. Table 3-4 states "[a]dvanced degrees earned in the specialties listed below may qualify for additional constructive credit." This table lists Physiology as a specialty that may qualify for additional CSC. 17. DODI 6000.13, section 6.1.2.2.3, states "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." DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's contention that his CSC should be adjusted to reflect the earned advanced degree of Master of Science in Clinical Exercise Physiology was carefully considered. 2. Army Regulation 135-101 provides that advanced degrees may qualify for additional CSC and the advanced degree must contribute directly to performance in the anticipated duty position. 3. Although he contends that his master's degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology adds many adjunctive skills that contribute directly to the performance of a military physician, the U.S. Army Recruiting Command Medical Corps/Veterinary Corps Program Manager determined that his master's degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology does not add adjunctive skills or contribute directly to his performance as a D.O. Army Medical Corps officer. 4. Based on the aforementioned evidence, his CSC of 4 years, 0 months, and 0 days and entry-grade rank of CPT and DOR are correct and no adjustment to his entry-grade credit is necessary. 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 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) AR20140016823 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140016823 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1