IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 31 January 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120020711 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, in effect, retroactive payment of Board Certification Pay (BCP) for the period 24 July 2011 to 23 July 2012. 2. The applicant states he is required to obtain and maintain board certification status in order to practice orthopedic surgery in the military. Once board certified, he is entitled to receive BCP in the amount of $2,500.00 per year. 3. The applicant provides copies of: * Deployment orders, dated 18 March 2010 * Board Certification letter, dated August 2012 * Letter of support, dated 23 October 2012 * Memorandum for Record, dated 29 October 2012 * Board certification requirements * ALARACT Message 367/2010, date time group P061815ZDEC10 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. At the time of his application, the applicant was serving on active duty as a physician, board certified as an orthopedic surgeon. 2. In the processing of this case a staff advisory opinion was obtained from the Chief, Special Pay Branch, Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG). a. The OTSG stated that requests for BCP are initiated by the officer through his/her supporting Human Resource Office. A review of the applicant's supporting documentation and available finance data indicates his BCP payments were initiated effective 24 July 2012 with an expiration of 31 December 2022. The applicant did not receive BCP for the period 24 July 2011 to 23 July 2012. b. The advisory opined that the applicant was eligible to receive BCP for the period 24 July 2011 to 23 July 2012. Utilizing a Health Professions Pay Entry Date (HPPED) or finance military service (MS) pay date of 1 July 2004 for the correct pay rate level, the retroactive payment for this total period of 1 year is approximately $2,500.00 prior to taxes. The exact amount should be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Indianapolis (DFAS-IN). 3. On 3 January 2013, a copy of the advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant for his information and an opportunity to respond. No response has been received. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends, in effect, that his records should be corrected to show authorization/entitlement to receive retroactive payment of BCP for the period 24 July 2011 to 23 July 2012. 2. The opinion rendered by the OTSG clearly states the applicant was fully qualified and eligible for BCP during the period requested. Accordingly, he should be paid. 3. In view of the foregoing, the applicant's request should be granted. BOARD VOTE: ____x___ ____x___ ____x___ 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: a. showing he requested and was granted BCP for the period 24 July 2011 to 23 July 2012, b. directing DFAS to audit his pay record, and c. paying him all monies due based on entitlement to BCP for the period in question utilizing an HPPED or finance MS-Pay-Date of 1 July 2004 for the correct pay rate level. __________ _ 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) AR20120020711 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120020711 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1