RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  98-01099
            INDEX CODE:

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1.  A “C” prefix be added to his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 6716,  for
the period 8 July 1991 through 15 August 1992, while  serving  as  the  Air
Force Headquarters Section and Air Force Element Section Commander.

2.  His Officer Performance Reports (OPRs)  rendered  for  the  periods  14
February 1991 through 15 August 1991 and 16 August 1991 through  15  August
1992 be amended to include the “C” prefix to his DAFSC.

3.  He be considered for promotion to  the  grade  of  colonel  by  Special
Selection Board (SSB) for the Calendar Year 1997B (CY97B)  Central  Colonel
Selection Board.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The individual who performed these duties at the Air Force  Accounting  and
Finance Center  (AFAFC)  just  prior  to  the  deactivation  of  AFAFC  and
subsequent activation of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service  (DFAS)
was awarded a commander  prefix  for  serving  as  the  AFAFC  Headquarters
Squadron Section Commander.  The individual who served  as  the  Air  Force
Element Section Commander after he PCS’d also received a commander  prefix.
Due to the  utter  confusion  associated  with  military  personnel  issues
associated with standing up DFAS, he was never awarded a commander  prefix.
He further states that he was advised by AFPC/DPPP that he  would  need  to
address his request as an injustice vice administrative error as the actual
position number to which he was assigned while at  DFAS  was  not  coded  a
commander position at the time he served as the Air Force  Element  Section
Commander.  The fact that the position was coded an “A”  prefixed  position
under the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center and has since been  coded
a “C” prefixed position by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service  does
not constitute an administrative or technical error that could be corrected
without a AFBCMR action.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits a personal statement, a copy of
a Single Uniform Retrieval Format (SURF), a copy of Special Order       and
a memorandum from DFAS-DE/DQ.

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on extended active duty in the grade  of
lieutenant colonel.

Applicant have two nonselections to the grade of colonel by the  CY97B  and
CY98C colonel selection boards.

OPR profile since 1991, follows:

       PERIOD ENDING             EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL

         13 Feb 91     Meets Standards (MS)
        *15 Aug 91              MS
        *15 Aug 92              MS
         30 Jun 93              MS
         30 Jun 94              MS
         30 Apr 95              MS
         30 Apr 96              MS
         30 Apr 97              MS
         30 Apr 98              MS

       *Contested Report

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Chief, Reports and Queries Team, AFPC/DPAIS1, reviewed the  application
and states that they are unable to concur with the award of the “C”  prefix
until such time as the OPRs are successfully appealed/amended.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

The Chief,  Promotion,  Evaluation  and  Recognition  Division,  AFPC/DPPP,
reviewed the application and states that the  applicant  does  not  specify
whether he wants the change made to the entry  in  the  Assignment  History
portion of his Officer Selection Brief (OSB), or the DAFSC on  his  Officer
Performance Reports (OPRs)  rendered  for  the  periods  14  February  1991
through 15 August 1991 and 16 August 1991 through  15  August  1992.   They
state the OPRs did not  recommend  changing  the  applicant’s  AFSC;  while
normally it is the manpower document which drives the  DAFSC  on  the  OPR,
after passage of time as in this case,  where  manpower  documents  are  no
longer available, a change cannot be made to the assignment  history  which
would make it conflict with the DAFSC on the OPR(s) for that  period.   The
applicant submits a copy of a SURF of an individual who held the same  duty
position and DAFSC as the applicant had occupied when he  was  assigned  to
DFAS, stating the DAFSC assigned to that position number is now coded  with
a “C.”  They state however, the applicant did  not  provide  any  evidence,
such as letters from his evaluators or official manning documents, to prove
the duty position should have been coded “C” during the contested reporting
period.  Therefore, they conclude the OPR was completed in accordance  with
governing directives.

They further state, although the applicant did not request it, they  assume
he would like special selection board (SSB consideration by the CY97B board
if the “C” prefix is added to the DAFSC on either the OSB or  the  OPRs  or
both.  They point out that there is no clear evidence that the omission  of
the “C” prefix on the DAFSC negatively impacted his promotion  opportunity.
Central boards evaluate the entire officer selection record (OSR) assessing
whole person factors.  The selection board had his entire OSR that  clearly
outlines his accomplishments since the date he came on active  duty.   They
are not convinced the omission of the “C” prefix  from  the  DAFSC  on  the
contested OPRs or OSB was erroneous, nor that it’s omission  was  the  sole
cause of the applicant’s nonselection.  They state that the comments in the
body of the 15 August 1991 OPR mention  that  the  applicant  served  as  a
Squadron Commander for over 200 personnel in addition to being  the  Chief,
Retire Pay Entitlements Division.  The subsequent OPR describe one  of  his
duties as an Air Force Element Section Commander for over 200 personnel  as
an additional duty.  They do  believe  he  served  in  the  capacity  of  a
commander, however, it appears it was not  his  primary  duty.   Therefore,
they are opposed to the  applicant  receiving  SSB  consideration  on  this
issue.  Therefore, based on evidence  provided  they  recommend  denial  of
applicant’s request.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and  states  that  he  strongly
disagrees with the recommendation made in the  advisory  opinion  that  his
request not be accepted because it is untimely.  He states the discovery of
the injustice was not made until     18 March 1998, and then, only  because
he was reviewing records of potential job candidates at AFPC.   He  further
states that he did not realize at the time he submitted the request that he
had to be extraordinarily specific in every  detail  of  his  request.   He
assumed if he were successful in correcting the  injustice  of  not  having
been awarded a commander prefix on his AFSC for  the  period  8  July  1991
through 15 August 1992,  an  automatic  chain  of  events  would  transpire
forcing a correction of all  official  documents  and  boards  impacted  by
correction of the injustice.  His specific request is to have his personnel
records updated to reflect a commander prefix on his AFSC.  In  turn,  that
the two OPRs be corrected to show a  commander  prefix  and  that  his  OSB
reflect a commander prefix for the  period  in  question.   He  is  further
requesting that he be allowed to meet a supplemental  promotion  board  for
the last three colonel boards, his two-year Below the Zone (BTZ) board, his
one-year BTZ board and his In the Primary Zone (IPZ) board.  He states that
the  BTZ  boards  are  important  because  he  had  a  definitely   promote
recommendation for both of his BTZ boards.  He submits additional  evidence
in the  form  of  statements  of  support  and  clarification  from  senior
leadership in his direct rating chain during the period in question, senior
leadership at the time of  the  boards  in  question,  and  copies  of  his
Promotion Recommendation Forms (PRFs).  He states that at the time the OPRs
were written, they were correct.  The alleged injustice happened after they
were written.  He states, in his 23 years in the  military,  he  has  never
seen or known a part-time commander; you either are a commander or you  are
not.

In summary, he would like to say that he has faithfully and dutifully given
almost 23 years of his life to the Air Force and  harbor  no  ill  feelings
over his recent nonselection to the grade of colonel.   Regardless  of  the
decision, he will continue to support and defend the  Constitution  of  the
United States to the best  of  his  ability.   He  does  strongly  believe,
however, that the injustice he is alleging  and  supported  by  his  rating
chain, was a significant factor in the previous three promotion boards  and
should be corrected.

Applicant's complete response, with attachments, is attached at Exhibit E.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The NCOIC, Reports and Queries Team, AFPC/DPAIS1, reviewed the  application
and states that this office stands by its original response  that  “we  are
unable to concur with the award of the “C” prefix until such  time  as  the
OPRs are successfully appealed/amended.”

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit F.

The Assignments Advisor, AFPC/DPAPP2, reviewed the application  and  states
that the approval for the manpower authorization to show a  “C”  prefix  to
the duty AFSC (DAFSC) and/or the designation of Element  Section  Commander
came after the applicant’s tour of duty.   Unless  the  approval  was  made
retroactive, it would have been effective upon signature, unless  a  future
date was stipulated.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit G.

The Chief, USAF Classification Branch, AFPC/DPPAC, reviewed the application
and states that for the period in question, the prefix denoting a commander
billet was A.  Prefix A converted to  C  effective  31  October  1993,  the
position to  which  the  applicant  was  assigned  was  not  an  authorized
commander position and  therefore  not  authorized  use  of  the  commander
prefix.  They state that the duty titles on the  OPRs  (for  the  contested
timeframe) indicate a division chief position,  not  a  section  commander.
They further state, in order for the applicant to be  entitled  to  receive
the commander prefix, manpower officials will have to  make  the  effective
date  retroactive  to  a  date  which  encompasses  the  contested  period.
Otherwise,  affixing  commander  prefix  A  to  the  applicant’s  DAFSC  is
inappropriate.  Therefore, they recommend denial of applicant’s request.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit H.

The  Chief,  Promotion,  Evaluation  &  Recognition  Division,   AFPC/DPPP,
reviewed the application and states that they concur with  the  assessments
of AFPC/DPAISI, AFPC/DPAPP2 and AFPC/DPPAC and have nothing further to  add
on the issues discussed in their advisories.  They state,  based  on  their
findings, they do not support correction of the contested OPRs or promotion
reconsideration by the CY97B or CY98C colonel selection boards.

A complete copy of their evaluation is attached at Exhibit I.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 12 April 1999, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to
applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no
response has been received by this office.

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 reviewing the evidence  of
record, we believe that sufficient evidence has been presented  to  warrant
awarding the applicant a commander prefix during the periods  in  question.
It is noted that the individuals, prior and subsequent  to  the  applicant,
who performed the same duties as the applicant, were  awarded  a  commander
prefix.  The excessive  delay  in  obtaining  approval  to  recognize  this
position with a  commander  prefix  was  of  no  fault  of  the  applicant.
Applicant has requested a “C” be added to his specialty code;  however,  we
note  that  during  the  contested  periods  the  proper  prefix  was  “A”.
Therefore, we recommend that his OSB and the OPRs closing  15  August  1991
and 15 August 1992, be amended by adding an “A” prefix to  his  DAFSC.   In
addition, we recommend his corrected record be considered for promotion  to
the grade of lieutenant colonel by SSB for the CY97 selection board and any
subsequent board in which the  above  recommended  correction  were  not  a
matter of record.  Since the “C” was not established until 31 October 1993,
his requests to have this prefix added is not favorably considered.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force  relating
to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that:

    a. The Officer Performance Reports, AF Forms  707A,  rendered  for  the
periods 14 February 1991 through 15 August 1991 and      16  February  1991
through 15 August 1992, be amended in Section I, Ratee Identification, Item
4, DAFSC, by adding an “A” prefix.

    b.  His Officer Selection Brief be amended by adding an “A”  prefix  to
his DAFSCs on the effective dates of 1 April 1991 and 26 September 1992.

It is further recommended that  his  corrected  report  be  considered  for
promotion to the grade of  colonel  by  Special  Selection  Board  for  the
Calendar Year 1997B Central Colonel Board and for any subsequent  board  in
which the above correction was not a matter of record.

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive
Session on 29 June 1999, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

                  Mr. Robert W. Zook, Panel Chair
                  Mr. Philip Sheuerman, Member
                  Ms. Olga M. Crerar, Member
                  Ms. Phyllis L. Spence, Examiner (without vote)

All members voted to correct the records, as  recommended.   The  following
documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 15 Apr 98, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPAIS1, dated 11 May 98.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPP, dated 10 Jun 98.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, AFPC/DPAIS1, dated 9 Feb 99.
   Exhibit F.  Applicant's Response, dated 25 Sep 98, w/atchs.
   Exhibit G.  Letter, AFPC/DPAPP2, dated 25 Feb 99.
   Exhibit H.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAC, dated 15 Mar 99.
   Exhibit I.  Letter, AFPC/DPPP, dated 19 Mar 99.
   Exhibit J.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 12 Apr 99.




                                   ROBERT W. ZOOK
                                   Panel Chair




AFBCMR 98-01099




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 is directed that:

         The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air  Force
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that:

              a. The Officer Performance Reports, AF Forms  707A,  rendered
for the periods 14 February 1991 through 15 August  1991  and  16  February
1991 through 15 August 1992, be amended in Section I, Ratee Identification,
Item 4, DAFSC, by adding an “A” prefix.

                    b.  His Officer Selection Brief be amended by adding an
“A” prefix to his DAFSCs on the effective dates of  1  April  1991  and  26
September 1992.

          It is further directed that his corrected  report  be  considered
for promotion to the grade of colonel by Special Selection  Board  for  the
Calendar Year 1997B Central Colonel Board and for any subsequent  board  in
which the above corrections were not a matter of record.





            JOE G. LINEBERGER
            Director
            Air Force Review Boards Agency