IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	    2 July 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120021986 


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 correction of her military records to show she was awarded constructive service credit (CSC) for her master's degree.

2.  The applicant states she obtained her master's degree prior to commissioning and entry on active duty as a nurse.

3.  The applicant provides copies of her:

* official college transcript from Austin Peay State University, dated 2 June 2011
* Orders A-03-205611, U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), dated 26 March 2012
* DA Form 71 (Oath of Office – Military Personnel), dated 5 July 2012

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  At the time of her application, the applicant was serving in the Regular Army as a second lieutenant, Army Nurse Corps (ANC), with a date of rank of 5 July 2012.

2.  Orders A-03-205611, HRC, dated 26 March 2012, ordered the applicant to active duty in the rank of second lieutenant, ANC, with a reporting date of 5 July 2012.

3.  Order Number 296-010, HRC, dated 22 October 2012, promoted the applicant to first lieutenant, ANC, with an effective date and date of rank of 24 November 2012.

4.  In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Active Duty Nurse Program Manager, U.S. Recruiting Command.  The opinion stated the applicant was commissioned in the Regular ANC on 5 July 2012.  She was awarded constructive credit of 1 year, 1 month, and 11 days for entry in the grade of second lieutenant.  The opinion recognized that the applicant has a master's degree in Health and Human Performance; however, the ANC does not recognize this degree field as qualifying for CSC.  The Surgeon General has defined qualifying graduate programs for each area of concentration and the applicant's master's degree does not meet the established criteria.  Additional advanced degrees must add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance of an anticipated duty position.  Accordingly, the advisory opinion recommended denial of the applicant's request.

5.  Department of Defense Instruction 6000.13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel) implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures to carry out medical manpower and personnel programs. The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall administer the procedures.

	a.  Paragraph 6.1 provides that 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 CSC and prior commissioned service credit, except in cases where the total exceeds the maximum credit allowed.

	b.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.3 provides 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 concerned.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that her military records should be corrected to show she was granted CSC for her master's degree because she obtained it prior to commissioning and entry on active duty as a nurse.

2.  The available evidence shows the applicant was awarded CSC in the amount of 1 year, 1 month, and 11 days and has been promoted to first lieutenant on the basis of this CSC.

3.  However, her master's degree in Health and Human Performance is not recognized as a qualifying advanced degree that would add adjunctive skills to her primary specialty or contribute directly to her performance in an anticipated duty position.

4.  In view of the above, the applicant's request should be denied.

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)                                         AR20120021986



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120021986



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