AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AJJG  1 9  898 

IN THE MATTER OF: 

DOCKET NUMBER:  9 8 - 0 0 7 0 9  
COUNSEL:  NONE 

HEARING DESIRED:  YES 

added to his enlisted ranks be 
is at Exhibit A. 

Applicant  requests that the  "T" 
removed.  Applicant's submission 
The  Enlisted  Promotion  &  Military  Testing Branch, AFPC/DPPPWB, 
evaluated  applicant's request  and  provided  an  initial  advisory 
opinion  to  the  Board  recommending  the  application  be  denied 
(Exhibit C).  The advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant 
for review and response (Exhibit D).  Applicant's response to the 
advisory opinion is at Exhibit E. 

AFPC/DPPPWB  provided  an  amended  advisory  opinion  and  again 
recommended  that  the  application  be  denied  (Exhibit F).  The 
advisory opinion was  forwarded to  the applicant  for review and 
response  (Exhibit G).  As  of  this  date, no  response has  been 
received by this office. 
After  careful  consideration  of  applicant's  request  and  the 
available  evidence of  record, we  find  insufficient evidence  of 
error or injustice to warrant  corrective action.  The facts and 
opinions  stated  in  the  amended  advisory  opinion  appear  to  be 
based  on the  evidence of  record  and  have not  been  rebutted by 
applicant. 
Absent  persuasive  evidence  applicant  was  denied 
rights  to  which  entitled,  appropriate  regulations  were  not 
followed, or appropriate standards were not applied, we  find no 
basis to disturb the existing record. 

- 
Accordingly, applicant's request is denied. 

The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been 
shown that  a personal  appearance  with  or without  counsel will 
materially  add  to  our  understanding  of  the  issues  involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. 

The Board staff is directed to inform applicant of this decision. 
Applicant should also be informed that this decision is final and 
will only be  reconsidered upon the presentation of new relevant 
evidence  which  was  not  reasonably  available  at  the  time  the 
application was filed. 

Members of the Board Mr. Douglas J. Heady, Mr. Joseph G. Diamond, 
and Mr. Henry Romo, Jr. considered this application on 11 Aug  98 

in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Air  Force  Instruction  3 6 -  
2603 and the governing statute, 10 U.S.C. 1552. 

Exhibits: 

DOUGLAS J. HEADY 
Panel Chair 

A.  Applicant's DD Form 149 
B.  Available Master Personnel Records 
C.  Advisory Opinion 
D. 
E.  Applicant's Response 
F.  Amended Advisory Opinion 
G. 

SAF/MIBR Ltr Forwarding Advisory Opinion 

SAF/MIBR Ltr Forwarding Advisory Opinion 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE AIR  FORCE 

HEADQUARTfiRS AIR  FORCE PERSONNEL CENTER 

RANDOLPH  AIR  FORCE BASE TEXAS 

MEMORANDUM FOR AFBCMR 

FROM:  HQ AFPC/DPPPWB 

550 C Street West, Ste 09 
Randolph AFB TX 78150-4711 

of Military Records - 

Requested Action.  The applicant is requesting the “(T)” added to his enlisted ranks be 

removed. 

Reason for Request.  The applicant states his records indicated he was noncommissioned 

officer (NCO), not a technician. 

Facts.  The applicant enlisted 12 Jun 42 in the Army United States (AUS) in the grade of 
Private and was discharged 25 Nov 45 as a Staff Sergeant.  He was assigned the Enlisted Reserve 
Corp (ERC) from 26 Nov 45 - 17 Mar 48.  He was commissioned a 2d Lt on 18 Mar 48 and 
retired in the grade of Lt Col,. USAFR, effective 16 Oct 74. 

Discussion. 
a.  The application has not been filed within the three year time limitation imposed by AFI 
36-2603, paragraph 3.5.  The applicant states he discovered the alleged error or injustice in 1995 
but does not elaborate. 

b. Again, the applicant is requesting the “(T)” added to his enlisted ranks be removed as 
he was an NCO, not a technician.  We have reviewed the documentation he has provided along 
with the other enlisted documents in his records and do not find a “(T)”  added to his enlisted 
grades-this  includes a review of various orders, the Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - 
Honorable Discharge, and other documentation.  These documents reflect his grade as either Pvt 
Sergeant.  These are authorized 
for Private, Cpl for Corporal, Sgt for Sergeant, and SS 
ug 44, awarded and authorized 
abbreviations for these grades.  Special Order Numbe 
d on his technical qualifications 
him to wear the Army Air Force Technician Badge w 
as an apprentice mechanic.  This order reflected his grade at the time as Sgt.  The fact he was 
authorized to wear this badge as a display of his technical qualifications had no bearing on his 
grade. 

I .   r. 

I  A  A  I-\  ’L  a _.._ 

J _____  - e  3  -7 

c.  We are providing a copy of Advocate General (AG) Letter 22 1,26 May 42 and Army 

A ‘ I   TL,,, 

A,,..,,...+, 

..rlrlrmno +ha m-rr.;.l+mnn+  A f  

Air Mechanics to NCO grades which was effective on or about 1 Jul42.  These appointments 
were effective less than one month from the date the applicant enlisted (12 Jun 42) as a Private. 
Based on the documents in the applicant's records and the content of the two referenced 
directives, we are unable to determine that his grades were identified incorrectly as a technician 
vice Private, Corporal, Sergeant, or Staff Sergeant. 

Recommendation. Based on our findings  &er  a review of documentation provided, the 

record appears to be correct and a change by the Board is not warranted. 

Chief Inquiries/AFBCMR Section 
Enlisted Promotion & Mil Testing Br 

9800709 

.. 

2 Pages 
Page 1 

WAR  DEPARTMENT 

HEADWARTERS  ARMY  AIR  FORC?3S 
WASHINGTON,  JU?E 27  1942. 

Conversion  Of  Air  Mechanics  Ratings  t o  Noncommisgioned Grades 

PERSONNEL,  MILITARY. 

1.  Reference  is made  t o   letter fram  The  Adjutant  General, dated 
"Appointment  of  Air 

May 26,  l9&!  (AG  221  (5-1142) EA-M), 
Mechanics  t o  Gradea. 

subject: 

2 .   Publication  of  AGO  revision  of  authorized  enlisted  grades  and 

strengths  for  a l l  Army AfrrForce& units  may  be expected  i n  the  near future. 
Such  publications  are  expected  t o  indicate  t h a t   increased  non-commissioned 

t h e  t o  t h e   Commanding  General,  Army A h  Forces,  f o r   the  publication  of 
necessary  order  t o  affect the  conversion. 

uthority having  a l s  

the 

3'.  Upon  receipt  of  allotments  of  authorized  enlisted  grades  and  strength 

fram  The  Adjutant  General,  coaunanding  officers  w i l l ,   effective  the  first of the 
following month,  disrate  a l l  a i r  mechanics  f i r s t  and  second  class. 
ments  t o  noncommissioned  grades  i n  keeping w i t h   the  revised  allotments w i l l  be 
made  effective  t h e   same  date  as the  disrating  of  air mechanics. 

Appoint- 

4.  Funds  allotted  for  payment  of  air mechanics  are  continued  i n  force 

u n t i l   authorization for  increased  grades  is received  and  conversion  made  i n  
compliance  w i t h   instructions  above 
mechanics  ratings t o  noncommissioned grades  is based  on  the  fund8  allotted 
In 
t o  the  Air Corps  f o r  air mechanics  grades  within  t h e  present  fiscal year. 
the future  additional enlisted grades  for the  Army  Rir Forces will be defended 
upon t h e   Tables  of  Organization  BS  approved  by the  Chief  of  Staff.  Revised  or 
new  Tables  of  Organization  for all Army  Air Forces units are  now  in provess  of 
being published. 

Currently,  the  conversion  of  a i r  

5. 

I n  the event  t h a t   any  unit  commander on  September 1, 1942, has  been 

unable t o  comply with  these instructions  due  t o  nonreceipt  prior t o  t h a t   t h e  
of  AGO  publications  revising  allotments  of  enlisted  grades  and  strength,  report 
t o   t h a t   e f f e c t  w i l l  be  made t o  the  Director  of  Personnel,  t h i s   Headquarters. 

6.  Attention  is again  d5rected  t o  paragraph  6  of  t h e   communication 
referred  t o  i n  paragraph  1,  above;  namely,  t h a t   the  advantages  gained  by 
individual enlisted men  i n  receiving  t h e   rank, allowances, and  retirement 
privileges  of  the  higher  noncommissioned  grades  w i l l  offset  any  disadvantage 
i n  temporary  s l i g h t l y  reduced  financial  gain. 

9800709 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 

259 
2 'Pages 
Page 2 

.. 

7.  Revised  allotments  of  enlisted  strength  i n  grades  may  not 

In such 

conform  t o  the  latest  tentative  Tables of  Organization  pubushed. 
cases  commanders  should  realize  t h a t  every e f f o r t  is being made  t o  eventually 
a t t a i n  p a r i t y  between  t h e   AGO  allotments  of  grades  and  the  Tables  of 
& g ~ Z & t i O n  spec$fications. 
spondence  requesting  increases  i n  grades  above AGO  allotments  so as t o  reach 
t h e   new  Tables of Orgsniea$ion  figures,  since  t h i s  Headquarters  is fully aware 

of such  diaparities . 
enlisted technicians  performing key maintenance  tasks . 

6,  The  principles  outlined  i n  Army Regulations  No.  95-70,  which 
covers  t h e   appointment  of  air mechanics  and which  is now in the  process  of 
revocation,  should continue  t o  be a  guide  for  t h e   selection  and promotion  of 

Gonunandera  should  avoid  i n i t i a t i n g  corre- 

9.  Commanders  are  enjoined  t o  avoid promoting too r a p i d l y t o  
high  noncommissioned  grades  nonspecialists and only p a r t l y   qualified. 
personnel  whenever  it is apparent  that  better  qualified f i l l e r  personnel, 
trained  in teahnlcal,  schools  o r  transferred  from other units,  are en route 
or due  t o  arrive  for assignment: 
A  unit may,  subsequent  t o  its 
activation,  have  received seventy-five  per  cent  of  its personnel,  t h e  
It.is obvious  t h a t   as  the  unit 
majority  of  whom  are  nonspecialists. 
approaches  the beginning  of  its training phase  in the  OTU system or proximity 
t o  t h e  of departure  t o  a port of  embarkation  its shortage  i n  strength w i l l  
Clearly t h e  
be  made up  mainly  by trained or  experienced  technician  personnel. 
l a t t e r  are  more  deserving  of  high  noncommissioned  grades  than  nonspecialist 
personnel. 
appropriately appoint  trained,  competent  combat  crew  or maintenance  personnel. 

Where  necessary, nonspecialist  personnel should  be reduced  t o  

Example: 

By command  of  Lieutenant  General  ARNOLD: 

MILLARD  F.  HARMON 
U j o r  General,  U.S.  Army, 
Chief  of the  Air  Staff. 

OFFICIAL : 

WILLIAb!  W.  DICK, 
Colonel, A.G.D,, 
Air Adjutant  General. 
DISTRIBUTION: 

WAN 

C 
0 
P 
]I 

WAR  DEPARTMENT 

The  Adjutant  General's  Office 

Washington 

In. ,reply 
r e f e r   to:  AG  221( 5-11-&!)EA-M 

May 26, 1942. 

SUBJECT: 

TO : 

,Appointment of' Air Mechanics t o  Grades' 
Cammanding  Generals,  Army Air Forces,  Army Ground  Forces, 
Services  of  Supply,  Armies,  Army Corps,  Corps Areas, 
Departments , Defense  Commands,  Base Commands , Divisions, 
Armored  Force,  Air  Forces,  USAFIA, USAFIBI,  and  Exempted 
Station  and Force  Commanders. 

1.  The  ratings  of  air mechanic,  first class,  and  air mechanic, 
second  class,  are established  by AR 95-70  pursuant  t o  section 13a of 
t h e  National Defense  Act.  Enlisted  men  of  the fourth,  f i f t h ,   sixth, 
and seventh grades may be so rated.  Upon  being rated,  they receive 
the  pay  but  not  the  rank,  sillowances,  or retirement  privileges  of  the 
second and t h i r d  grades respectively. 
In many  instances  air mechanics 
by reason  of t h e i r   technical proficiency  are  i n  command  of  enlisted 
a i r c r a f t  maintenance  crews  but  do not  hold  rank  appropriate  t o  t h e i r  
responsibilities. 

. This  procedure  is in line  with 

it 
i o  

ratings  for  all Amy  enlisted  personnel.  It w i l l  simplify t h e  pay 
system and  clarify  lines of  promotion  of technical personnel.  me 
pa,ynent  of  enlisted men on  t h e   basis  of  grade  alone  w i l l  eliminate 
considerable  work and d i f f i c u l t y  f o r  both  the  organization  commander 
and  t h e   disbursing officer. 

3 .   A t   the  proper  t h e ,   units  w i l l  be  provided  additional  vacan- 

cies  i n  second,  third,  and fourth grades t o  which  air mechanics  may 
be  appointed,  following  closely  upon  t h e i r  being  a e r a t e d .  
additional grades a r a   being  obtained  by withdrawing  an equal  number  of 
fourth,  f i f t h ,   sixth,  and  seventh  grades  now  being held  by air mech- 
anics.  Many units are authorized  air mechanic  ratings  i n  amounts  less 
than ten  t o  fourteen per  cent  of  t h e i r   t o t a l  authorized enlisted 
strengths;  whereas,  other  units  are  authorized  a i r  mechanic ratings 
representing  more  than  ten t o  fourteen per  cent  of  t h e i r   t o t a l  author- 
ized  enlisted  strengths.  Existing legislation includes  a  statutory 
limitation  for  air mechanics  equal  t o  fourteen per  cent  of the  t o t a l  
authorized  enlisted  strength  of  t h e   Air Corps. 

The 

4.  Conversion  of a&  mechanic  ratings  i n t o  noncommissioned  grades 
w i l l  render  inapplicable  AFt95-70,  which  is being  rescinded. 
the  semi-annual theoretical  and practical examina- 
rescission  of  AR95-70, 
tions  w i l l  no  longer  be  requisite. 
should  continue  t o  be a  guide  for  the  selection and promotion  of  enlisted 
men  performing key maintenance  tasks, 

With the 
However, the  principles  i n  AR95-70 

5 .   Enlisted men advanced t o  t h e   additional grades SUPpl€Ukhg  air 

mechsnica  ratings  should be those  only who  are capable 'of demonstrating 
t h e i r   fitness  and  who possese  the  neoessary  technical  qualifications to 
engage  upon the mainkenance  duties  appropriate  t o  these  grades. 

6 .   While it is realized t h a t   a  small percentage  of  the  enlisted 

men  now rated  air mechanics  will, upon  being advanced  t o  higher  NCO  grades, 
suffer  a  temporary  relatively small financial  loss monthly,  the  advantages 
gained by all inidividuals  i n  receiving  the  rank,  allowances and  retire- 
ment  prTvileges  of  the  higher  noncommissioned grades plus  eligibility i n  
certain cases  for enlisted  flying pay will offset the  l o e a ~ s  suffered. 

7.  The procedure  governing  the  conversion  of  ratings into grades 
w i l l  be covered  at the  proper  time  in an Army  Air  Force  General Order or 
new regulation. 

8 .   It is desired  t h a t   all units and  detachments  concerned  be 

furnished  the  data  i n  this communication. 

By  order of  t h e  Secretary of  War: 

/s/J,  A.  ULIO 

' 
Major  General 
The Adjutant  General 

Copies  furnished: 

War  Department  Agencies 

and  k!ilitary  Attaches  concerned. 

2