BOARD DATE: 3 May 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160007199 BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING :X :X :X DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 3 May 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160007199 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 she be granted 2 years of constructive service credit (CSC) for completion of a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. 2. The applicant states she is entitled to two additional years of CSC toward her time in grade based on her 2009 award of a 2-year MPH degree specializing in infectious diseases. Department of Defense Instruction (DODl) 6000 13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel), paragraphs 6.1.2.2.2 and 6.1.2.2.3, indicate that she should have been granted 2 years of CSC for the 2 years of study for her MPH as an adjunctive skill to her primary degree as a medical doctor (MD) and in her specialty in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). 3. The applicant provides: * letter of support * college transcript * MPH Diploma * Oath of Office * 2 pages of email * DODI 6000.13 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant completed an MPH degree in 2006. She was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps, effective 12 June 2008, and entered the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences on that date. 2. A 9 March 2012 DA Form 5074-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit) shows she was granted 4 years of constructive credit for the completion of her MD degree. 3. She signed her Oath of Office as a Regular Army Medical Corps captain on 19 May 2012 4. She entered the Graduate Medical Education program for OB-GYN training physician on 24 September 2012. 5. Colonel M____ C____, MD, the Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Madigan Army Medical Center, states the applicant is a resident physician under his command in the OB/GYN department. In his letter of support, he states that it is his opinion that the applicant's prior study for her MPH degree is an adjunctive skill to her primary specialty as an MD per Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, dated 30 June 1997, Medical Manpower and Personnel, paragraphs 6.1.2.2.2 and 6.1.2.2.3. Her skills in epidemiology and statistics from her MPH degree have directly affected her research for the department and has been beneficial in her performing her duties as a resident physician and researcher in the field of OB/GYN. 6. An advisory opinion was obtained from the Program Manager, Graduate Medical Education, Office of the Surgeon General. It was recommended that the applicant's request be denied because an MPH is not a prerequisite for attending medical school, obtaining an MD degree, or for commissioning. The MPH did not add adjunctive skills to her primary specialty in OB/GYN. 7. A copy of the advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant. She did not reply. REFERENCES: Department of Defense Instruction 6000.13 (Accession and Retention Policies, Programs, and Incentives For Military Health Professions Officers (HPOs)) establishes policy, assign responsibilities, and prescribe procedures for Military Department payment of incentives and bonuses to HPOs pursuant to section 335 of Title 37, United States Code (U.S.C.). It states: a. Entry Grade Credit: A prospective health professions officer’s entry grade and rank within grade shall be determined by the number of years of entry grade credit awarded on original appointment, designation, or assignment as a health professions officer. The entry grade credit to be awarded shall equal the sum of constructive service credit and prior commissioned service credit except in cases where the total exceeds the maximum credit allowed. b. The maximum constructive service creditable for completing such a program shall be the number of years (to the nearest year) normally required to complete the advanced education or receive the advanced degree. c. Constructive service credit may be awarded only if such advanced education or advanced degree is required as a prerequisite for original appointment as a commissioned officer in a particular officer category. d. 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. e. 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: 1. The applicant's attaining an MPH prior to her completion of her MD is not a requirement for her degree. She was granted the maximum service credit for obtaining her MD. 2. By regulation the total credit allowed for having both a master’s and a doctorate degree may not exceed the maximum allowed for a doctorate unless it adds adjunctive skills to the primary specialty. The applicant provides a letter from her commander, who opines that the applicant's prior study for her MPH degree is an adjunctive skill to her primary specialty as an MD. Her commander states her skills in epidemiology and statistics from her MPH degree have directly affected her research for the department and has been beneficial in her performing her duties as a resident physician and researcher in the field of OB/GYN. 3. The Program Manager, Graduate Medical Education, Office of the Surgeon General, noted an MPH is not a prerequisite for attending medical school, obtaining an MD degree, or for commissioning, and concluded her MPH did not add adjunctive skills to her primary specialty in OB/GYN. BOARD DATE: 3 May 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160007199 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. 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. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160007199 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160007199 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2