ADDENDUM TO
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 96-01894
INDEX CODE 131.09
COUNSEL: None
HEARING DESIRED: Yes
_________________________________________________________________
RESUME OF CASE:
In a application dated 27 June 1996, applicant requested that the
Officer Selection Briefs (OSBs) considered by the Fiscal Year 1993
(FY93), FY94 and FY95 Reserve of the Air Force (ResAF) Colonel Overall
Vacancy Selection Boards be amended; that he be promoted to the grade
of colonel as if selected by, preferably, the FY93 board; and his
record reflect continuous Reserve duty since his involuntary
retirement with all back pay and entitlements.
On 26 November 1996, the Board granted applicant’s request to correct
his OSBs, but denied his request for direct promotion. Instead, the
Board recommended the applicant be given consideration by Special
Review Board(s) (SRB) for the colonel promotion board(s). Applicant’s
request for reinstatement would be held in abeyance pending the SRB
results.
A complete copy of the Record of Proceedings is attached at Exhibit D.
Applicant was subsequently considered but not selected for promotion
by SRBs for the FY93, FY94, and FY95 boards. He was notified of his
nonselections by AFBCMR letter dated 16 July 1997 (Exhibit E).
Applicant now requests reconsideration in light of additional evidence
he submits in the form of an 18-page brief with six attachments. He
contends his nonselections for promotion should be set aside on the
basis that the Central Reserve Officer Promotion Act (ROPA) Boards
were conducted in violation of statute and Air Force directives. The
issues he raises are similar to those pertaining to the Officer
Promotion System and which have been contended on the active duty side
over the past several years. He asks for direct promotion to colonel
as if selected by the FY93 ROPA board.
Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit F.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), HQ ARPC/JA, reviewed applicant’s
latest submission. The SJA advises it must be understood that, while
the personnel philosophies of the Defense Officer Personnel Management
Act (DOPMA) and ROPA are generally similar (though, in this regard,
the personnel philosophy of the Reserve Officer Personnel Management
Act (ROPMA) is, by conscious design, more closely attuned to the
policy and procedures found in DOPMA), ROPA promotion procedures
evolved by accretion between the years 1954 and 1996 and, in many
instances, do not have the same statutory underpinning or regulatory
basis as DOPMA promotion procedures. The SJA indicates there is no
basis on which to void the applicant’s nonselections.
A copy of the complete evaluation is at Exhibit G.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF THE AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and, in a 14-page brief
with six attachments, makes the following conclusions/summations:
1. ARPC has provided nothing to refute his conclusions that
“only by setting aside the passovers could [he] have been placed in
the same position as [he] would have been but for the errors in [his]
file.”
2. His rights were curtailed when the AFBCMR abdicated its
responsibility to a uniformed review board to determine if his
corrected record would have warranted promotion to colonel. Only the
AFBCMR can act and provide full and fitting relief as an SRB cannot
provide a viable review of his file—or any other file—as a result of
serious problems with its operation and the operation of the selection
board it purportedly mirrors.
3. ARPC admits recommendations were formed only at the panel
level and the board never knew the names of the officer allegedly
found best qualified and recommended for promotion. ARPC admits
certification was made without knowledge of the officers recommended.
He asks the AFBCMR to apply the Doyle standards. Obviously, the error
is at the heart of the process Congress and the Air Force itself
deemed necessary for promotion of officers in the Air Force Reserve.
He contends selection boards employ erroneous standard of proof. He
cites Roane vs US and asks that, as the selection boards which
considered his file were held contrary to directive---ROPA, Air Force
Regulation, and direct secretarial instruction---his nonselections
incurred at these illegal boards be set aside.
4. His case is little different than the recent case in which
the AFBCMR directed promotion of an officer to the ROPA grade of
Brigadier General. He had a basic right to a selection process
conducted squarely according to statute, directive and secretarial
instruction.
As he cannot be terminated unless he has been considered by boards
conducted as required by statute and regulation, he is entitled to
continuous duty until those requirements of law can be met. He
requests direct promotion to colonel as if selected by the FY93 ResAF
board.
Applicant’s complete rebuttal, with attachments, is at Exhibit I.
_________________________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:
The Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), HQ ARPC/JA, provides a 10-page
evaluation which discusses, in part, the pertinent court cases
referred to by the applicant as well as the applicant’s contentions.
The SJA asserts that there is no basis in law for setting aside the
applicant’s previous nonselections for promotion to the grade of
Reserve colonel. The applicant has been afforded every relief
available through an application to the AFBCMR; therefore, there is no
authority for granting this request. As a result of an earlier
application to the AFBCMR, an SRB was directed but the applicant was
not recommended for selection for promotion by that SRB. Regrettably
for the position advocated by the applicant, this state of events
would end the SRB process in his previous AFBCMR application. The SJA
adds that the earlier discussion in paragraph 2 of this evaluation of
the Small case mitigates strongly in favor of concluding that Small
compels denial of this application. There is the outstanding issue of
the US Federal Court of Claims case of Roane, which reaches a contrary
conclusion to Small. The SJA has concluded that Roane was, pure and
simple, wrongly decided, and the SJA firmly believes that the logic of
the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will compel a
reconsideration of the decision. Doyle has not the slightest relation
to the facts of this application. Further, the portion that the
applicant chose to make use of from the court’s opinion, while stating
a broad principle which the SJA supports, has no relevance here. There
was, in fact, no “procedural violation” of any statute, regulation, or
policy anywhere in these facts. Accordingly the Doyle case is not on
point with the facts of this application. Additionally, the selection
boards affecting the applicant conformed with all statutes, regulation
and SAF directive. As for the applicant’s allegation that selection
boards employ erroneous standard of proof, the SJA continues to adhere
to the 29 June 1998 ARPC/JA advisory. The applicant’s contentions are
without merit; therefore, denial is recommended.
A copy of the complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit J.
The Director of Personnel Programs, HQ ARPC/DP, provides technical
advisories on the Reserve promotion board and SRB processes in effect
at the times the applicant was considered to the grade of Reserve
colonel. More specific response to his [board processes] allegations
regarding the board processes are included in the accompanying
attachments.
A copy of the complete evaluation, with attachments, is provided at
Exhibit K.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATIONS:
The applicant provided a rebuttal, which was received by the AFBCMR
Staff on 20 July 1999. He argues that, as the underlying facts in
Small are clearly different, the Board cannot rely on it as the broad
“approval” of the panel system suggested by ARPC/JA. In fact, the most
critical element---board member knowledge of the candidates
recommended---was not available to the members at his promotion
board(s). The problems he discusses clearly make the boards that
considered his file legal nullities. While ARPC claims Roane will be
reversed, its reconsideration was actually denied. As for Neptune, it
was based on the facts of Small which he has shown are different than
those in his case. His situation is little different than the one
described in Sanders. The evidence proves the SRB was inept as it is
inapt as a “cure” for the problems “allegedly” corrected in his file.
Not only did the actions of the SRB deny him his right to have a
civilian board rule on his application, its procedures were equally
unavailing as a source of relief. His record shows the potential for
selection to colonel. He asks the Board to promote him to the grade
of colonel as if selected at his first consideration.
Applicant subsequently provided additional comments via electronic
mailgram (EMail).
A copy of the applicant’s complete rebuttal, with attachments, and the
EMail are at Exhibit M.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
Applicant’s numerous contentions, including those concerning the
statutory compliance of ROPA boards, the promotion recommendation
appeal process, and the legality of the Special Review Board (SRB)
process are duly noted. However, we do not find these assertions, in
and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale
provided by the Air Force Reserves. We note the applicant cites an
AFBCMR case wherein the Board recommended direct promotion. He
asserts, in essence, that his appeal is so similar to the cited case
that relief is warranted using the same rationale. We disagree. Each
case before this Board is considered on its own merit, and we are not
bound by precedent. Cases which may appear similar are often quite
different and require a different conclusion. In the cited case,
additional errors were created while that applicant’s record was being
amended for SRB review. As a result, the “corrected” record was even
more flawed than when it was reviewed during the original promotion
considerations. Contrary to what this applicant appears to infer, the
Board did not find the SRB process contrary to statute or base the
directed promotion on the cited applicant’s promotability. Direct
promotion was recommended because, despite prior favorable action by
the Board, subsequent errors further flawed the record to the point
that the Board believed full and fair promotion consideration might no
longer be possible. Such is not the case in the instant appeal. The
applicant has not substantiated his allegations that the ROPA boards
and the SRB process are in violation of statute, that he was deprived
of equitable promotion consideration, or that he would have, and
should have, been promoted to colonel. Therefore, we agree with the
recommendation provided by the Air Force Reserves and adopt the
rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that direct
promotion, or any relief in addition to that which has already been
granted this applicant, is warranted.
The documentation provided with this case was sufficient to give the
Board a clear understanding of the issues involved and a personal
appearance, with or without legal counsel, would not have materially
added to that understanding. Therefore, the request for a hearing is
not favorably considered.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice;
that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and
that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this
application.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in
Executive Session on 23 September 1999, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Panel Chair
Mr. Charles E. Bennett, Member
Mr. Jackson A. Hauslein, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit D. Record of Proceedings, dated 19 Dec 96, w/atchs.
Exhibit E. AFBCMR’s Letter, dated 16 Jul 97, w/atch.
Exhibit F. Applicant’s Letter, dated 13 Mar 98, w/atchs.
Exhibit G. HQ ARPC/JA’s Letter, dated 29 Jun 98.
Exhibit H. AFBCMR’s Letter, dated 20 Jul 98.
Exhibit I. Applicant’s Letter, undated, w/atchs.
Exhibit J. HQ ARPC/JA’s Letter, dated 1 Feb 99, w/atchs.
Exhibit K. HQ ARPC/DP’s Letter, dated 2 Feb 99, w/atchs.
Exhibit L. AFBCMR’s Letter, dated 22 Feb 99.
Exhibit M. Applicant’s Letter, undated, w/atchs, and EMail
dated 1 Sep 99.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Panel Chair
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 96-01804
COUNSEL: None
HEARING DESIRED: Yes
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
1. The Officer Selection Briefs (OSBs) considered by the Fiscal
Year 1993 (FY93), FY94 and FY95 Air Force Reserve (ResAF) Colonel
Overall Vacancy Selection Boards be amended as follows:
a. The OSBs for the above three boards reflect receipt of
the Air Medal, 8th Oak Leaf Cluster (8OLC).
b. The OSBs for the FY93 and FY94 boards reflect receipt
of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), effective 14 May 1994.
c. The OSB for the FY93 board reflect receipt of the Air
Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), effective 4 March 1992.
d. The OSBs for the FY94 and FY95 boards reflect “Senior
Controller” under “Assignment Data, Current Duty & Duty History.”
e. Under “AFSC Data,” the OSB for the FY95 board reflect
“11S4Y - Air Ops Off Special Ops” as his Primary Air Force Specialty
Code (PAFSC).
f. The OSB for the FY93 board reflect “National Security
Management (Seminar)-1992” under “Professional Military Education”
(PME).
2. His records reflect promotion to the Reserve grade of colonel as
if selected by the FY93 board or, in the alternative, his records be
considered for promotion by Special Review Board (SRB) for the FY93,
FY94, FY95 boards.
3. His record reflect continuous Reserve duty since his involuntary
retirement to include restoration of all pay, benefits and other
entitlements.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The reasons the applicant believes the records to be in error or
unjust and the evidence submitted in support of the appeal are at
Exhibit A.
Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant met the FY93 (5 Oct 92), FY94 (4 Oct 93) and FY95 boards
but was not selected for promotion to the Reserve grade of colonel.
He was involuntarily placed in the Retired Reserves effective 31
January 1995.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR STAFF EVALUATION:
The Deputy Director, HQ ARPC/DPJA, reviewed the appeal and provided an
advisory and an addendum. The AM 8OLC was in applicant’s selection
folder and on the OSBs reviewed by the FY93, FY94 and FY95 boards.
The MSM was not effective until 14 May 1994; therefore, the citation
could not be placed in the selection folders for the FY93 or FY94
boards as they convened before the MSM was awarded. The MSM citation
was in the selection folder and on the OSB for the FY95 board. The OSB
for the FY93 board should have included the AFCM and indicated
completion of the National Security Management Course in January 1992.
The DAFSC under “AFSC Data” on the FY94 OSB should be changed to
“11S4Y-Senior Controller.” The “Duty Title” on the FY95 and FY94 OSB
was incorrect and should have been “Senior Controller.” The FY95 OSB
should also reflect “Senior Controller” under “Duty History.” The
PAFSC under “AFSC Data” on the FY95 OSB should be changed to “11S4Y-Sp
Op Plt General.” The FY93, FY94, and FY95 OSBs should be corrected as
indicated and applicant given SRB consideration for the FY93 board. If
not selected for promotion by the FY93 board, he should meet SRBs for
the FY94, and FY95 boards.
Complete copies of the Air Staff evaluation, and the 17 October 1996
addendum, are attached at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing
law or regulations.
2. The application was timely filed.
3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate
the existence of probable error or injustice. After thoroughly
reviewing the documentation pertaining to this appeal, we note the
following:
a. As indicated by the Air Staff, the AM 8OLC was in the
applicant’s selection folder and reflected on the OSBs reviewed by all
three selection boards. The MSM could not be placed in his records for
the FY93 and FY94 selection boards because it was not awarded until
after these boards had adjourned. The MSM was reflected on the OSB and
its citation was in the selection folder for the FY95 board’s
consideration. Therefore, we find no basis upon which to disagree
with the Air Staff’s determination that no error or injustice with
respect to the above issues has occurred and recommend that this
portion of applicant’s appeal be denied.
b. Applicant’s remaining issues regarding the OSBs have merit.
It appears that his records did contain numerous errors when reviewed
by the three selection boards. As this may have precluded his
receiving full and fair consideration by the selection boards, we
agree with the recommendation of the Air Staff that the contested OSBs
should be corrected to the extent indicated below. Furthermore, his
corrected records should be considered by an SRB for the FY93 Colonel
ResAF Overall Vacancy Selection Board. If not selected by the SRB for
the FY93 Selection Board, he should be considered by SRB for the FY94
and, if necessary, the FY95 Selection.
c. Applicant's request for promotion to the grade of colonel
was considered; however, it is our opinion that the review of his
corrected record by SRB will allow for a comparison with his
contemporaries and assist in the determination as to any possible
inequity which may have resulted from the inaccurate record. Absent
clear-cut evidence that he would have been a selectee had his records
reflected the recommended changes, we believe that a duly constituted
SRB is in the most advantageous position to render this determination,
and that its prerogative to do so should only be usurped under
extraordinary circumstances.
d. Applicant’s request that his records reflect continuous
Reserve duty since his retirement hinges on the results of the SRB(s)
and, since we have concluded that a direct promotion is not warranted,
we will consider this request when we receive the results of the
SRB(s).
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that the Officer Selection
Briefs (OSBs) considered by the Fiscal Year 1993 (FY93), FY94 and FY95
Air Force Reserve (ResAF) Colonel Overall Vacancy Selection Boards be
amended as follows:
a. The OSB for the FY93 board reflect receipt of the Air
Force Commendation Medal (AFCM), effective 4 March 1992, and
completion of the “National Security Management Seminar-1992” under
“Professional Military Education.”
b. The OSB for the FY 94 Board reflect “11S4Y-Senior
Controller” as the DAFSC under “AFSC Data,” and “9 Sep 93-11S4Y-Senior
Controller” under “Current Duty.”
c. The OSB for the FY95 board reflect “11S4Y-Sp Op Plt
General” as the PAFSC under “AFSC Data;” “Senior Controller” as the
Duty Title under “Current Duty;” and “Senior Controller” under the 9
September 1993 entry under “Duty History.”
It is further recommended that his corrected records be considered for
promotion to the Reserve grade of colonel by a Special Review Board
(SRB); that his record be evaluated in comparison with the records of
officers who were and were not selected by the Fiscal Year 1993 (FY93)
Reserve of the Air Force Overall Vacancy Selection Board; that, if the
member is not selected by the SRB for the FY93 Board, he will be
considered by an SRB for the FY94 and, if necessary, the FY95 Board;
and that the recommendation(s) of the Special Review Board(s) be
forwarded to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records at
the earliest practicable date so that all necessary and appropriate
actions may be completed.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered this application in
Executive Session on 26 November 1996, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Thomas S. Markiewicz, Panel Chairman
Mr. Frederick R. Beaman III, Member
Mrs. Barbara A. Westgate, Member
Ms. D. E. Hankey, Examiner (without vote)
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The
following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 27 Jun 96, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letters, HQ ARPC/DPJA, dated 6 Aug & 17 Oct 96,
w/atchs.
THOMAS S. MARKIEWICZ
Panel Chairman
AF | BCMR | CY1999 | 9601894A.doc
ADDENDUM TO RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: 96-01894 INDEX CODE 131.09 COUNSEL: None HEARING DESIRED: Yes _________________________________________________________________ RESUME OF CASE: In a application dated 27 June 1996, applicant requested that the Officer Selection Briefs (OSBs) considered by the Fiscal Year 1993 (FY93), FY94 and FY95 Reserve of the Air Force (ResAF) Colonel Overall Vacancy Selection Boards be...
He contends his nonselections for promotion should be set aside on the basis that the Central Reserve Officer Promotion Act (ROPA) Boards were conducted in violation of statute and Air Force directives. As a result of an earlier application to the AFBCMR, an SRB was directed but the applicant was not recommended for selection for promotion by that SRB. We note the applicant cites an AFBCMR case wherein the Board recommended direct promotion.
AF | BCMR | CY1999 | BC-1996-02894A
He contends his nonselections for promotion should be set aside on the basis that the Central Reserve Officer Promotion Act (ROPA) Boards were conducted in violation of statute and Air Force directives. As a result of an earlier application to the AFBCMR, an SRB was directed but the applicant was not recommended for selection for promotion by that SRB. We note the applicant cites an AFBCMR case wherein the Board recommended direct promotion.
AF | BCMR | CY2006 | BC-1996-01804-3
Counsel submitted statements (and other attachments) from senior officers familiar with the applicant’s career who essentially contended the applicant’s record was so strong he would have been promoted if his record had been correct when first considered by the central selection boards. Statements were provided from three individuals (two retired brigadier generals, and a retired colonel), who indicated they were in the applicant’s chain of command and endorsed his direct promotion based on...
The bar to her reappointment as a Reserve commissioned officer be removed from her records and she be reinstated as an Air Force Reserve officer. In the applicant’s statement dated 11 August 1998, she requests that prior to the convening of the ResAF Selection Review Board, she be afforded the opportunity to provide to that Board written documentation attesting to her civil employment, from 1996 to the present date, as Director of Nursing at Enterprise Nursing Home, her appointment as...
AF | BCMR | CY1999 | BC-1998-00624
The bar to her reappointment as a Reserve commissioned officer be removed from her records and she be reinstated as an Air Force Reserve officer. In the applicant’s statement dated 11 August 1998, she requests that prior to the convening of the ResAF Selection Review Board, she be afforded the opportunity to provide to that Board written documentation attesting to her civil employment, from 1996 to the present date, as Director of Nursing at Enterprise Nursing Home, her appointment as...
AF | BCMR | CY1998 | BC-1998-00788
Of the 25 selected, 14 had not completed the appropriate level of PME, the FY94 board considered 48 members and selected 43 for promotion. Exhibit C. Record of Proceedings for Major XXX, dated 28 May 96. BENEDICT A. KAUSAL IV Panel Chair AFBCMR 98-00788 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it...
Of the 25 selected, 14 had not completed the appropriate level of PME, the FY94 board considered 48 members and selected 43 for promotion. Exhibit C. Record of Proceedings for Major W---, dated 28 May 96. BENEDICT A. KAUSAL IV Panel Chair AFBCMR 98-00788 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it...
Of the 25 selected, 14 had not completed the appropriate level of PME, the FY94 board considered 48 members and selected 43 for promotion. 111 Major W---Is case, the Commander, HQ ARPC, stated that, due to significantly lower overall selection rates on the FY96 ResAF board when compared to previous years and ar, apparent correlation between being determined "fully qualified" for promotion 2nd completing PME, it was possible that members of the FY96 ResAF board may not have followed the...
He be reassigned to Extended Active Duty (EAD) as a statutory tour officer to complete 2 years, and 3 months of active duty for completion of 20 years for retirement. The applicant notes that the policy at the time he was renewed for a second tour was that a statutory officer would be continued for a 20-year retirement if they had excellent performance and 12 to 14 years of active duty. However, should the Board elect to provide the applicant relief, they recommend the applicant’s record...