RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03204
            INDEX CODE:  115.00
            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  YES

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reinstated into the Specialized Undergraduate  Pilot  Training  (SUPT)
program.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Upon arrival for pilot training at Laughlin AFB, TX he was displaced for  11
weeks instead  of  the  expected  30  days  waiting  for  available  housing
accommodations.  During this time he had to move three times  and  he  found
this experience to be very exhaustive and far from ideal  for  his  studies.
Compounded with the fast paced tempo of UPT,  his  ability  to  succeed  was
hindered by these influences.

During his initial training  he  encountered  repeated  episodes  of  motion
sickness, which delayed his progress in UPT.   Corrective  action  consisted
of daily visits to the "spin chair" program  for  evaluation.   He  inquired
about the possible use of over-the-counter medications  since  other  active
duty bases offered medication to help facilitate reentry into flying  status
but was notified that it was  the  base  medical  group's  decision  not  to
administer over-the-counter airsickness medication.  Upon completion of  the
"spin chair" program he was cleared to fly but it was later determined  that
there was not enough flexibility in the training schedule to allow  for  his
continuation in the flight program.  He has found that treatment  procedures
for motion sickness differ from base to base.  He could have speeded up  his
recovery if offered medication as other bases do.

He has subsequently completed 50 plus aerobatic hours  in  the  Robin  Sport
without one motion sickness episode.  His completion of both  the  Aerobatic
Course and  Emergency  Confidence  Course  should  further  demonstrate  his
resolve.  He has completed his Instrument rating and is  currently  pursuing
both his Commercial and Multi-Engine ratings.

In  support  of  his  request,  applicant  provided  a  personal  statement,
documentation associated  with  his  elimination  from  SUPT,  documentation
associated with his housing at Laughlin AFB, flight  training  certificates,
a  statement  of  support,  and  documentation  extracted  from  his  flying
records.  His complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant was appointed a second lieutenant, Reserve of the Air Force on  17
Jul 00 and was voluntarily ordered to extended  active  duty  on  that  same
date.  He has been progressively promoted to the grade of  first  lieutenant
having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of  18  Jun  02.
Applicant entered SUPT with Class 0208 on 10  Apr  01.   He  was  eliminated
after  receiving  14.7  hours  of  instruction,  for  Lack  of  Adaptability
(repeated airsickness).

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AETC/DOF  recommends  denial.   DOF  states  that  on-base  facilities   for
unaccompanied officers at Laughlin AFB has been an issue  in  recent  years.
It would be expected that  students  initially  occupying  off-base  housing
would need to move one time if they accept an offer for on-base quarters  at
some later date.  However, his three moves are not  explained  in  terms  of
frequency or cause.   This  is  the  first  time  a  student  has  suggested
"inadequate housing" as causal in training elimination.

Airsickness is not uncommon in the early stages of training.   AETC  has  an
established Airsickness Management Program (AMP).   The  Aeromedical  Branch
Chief states "the use of the over-the-counter medications  Dextroamphetamine
and Scopalamine (Dex-Scope) was not  authorized  during  the  entire  fiscal
year the applicant attended SUPT."  Dex-Scope was not used for  a  time  due
to lack of evidence supporting  improved  treatment  success.   During  FY02
Laughlin had 23 students enrolled in AMP of which  3  were  disenrolled  for
lack of adaptability for a success rate  of  87%.   In  FY01  and  FY03  the
success rates were 92%.  The  FY04  classes  to  date,  with  Dex-scope  use
allowed, the success rate is 88%.

Civilian  flight  training  programs  are  self-paced,  without   proscribed
timetables for completion.   Perseverance  in  civilian  programs  is  often
based on an individual's ability to pay for additional training.  SUPT is  a
condensed, year-long experience, demanding students learn at an  accelerated
pace.  While civilian experience may serve as a  building  block  to  flying
military  aircraft,  there  is  little  correlation  between  civil   flight
training  programs  when  compared  to  flying   skills   taught,   training
intensity, and discipline.  Individuals who may succeed in  one  environment
have no guarantee of success  in  the  other.   The  DOF  evaluation  is  at
Exhibit B.

_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states prior to his arrival he was notified of a possible  two  to
three week delay at most for available housing.  He was  sharing  a  cramped
visiting officer's quarters room with a college friend who  was  in  another
class and at a different phase in training.  By the eighth week  his  friend
moved and he moved in with another friend who occupied  a  single  officer's
quarters room until his move-in date arrived.  This situation  was  not  the
most suitable or expected training atmosphere  one  would  expect  while  in
SUPT and he feels it created a difficult situation to adjust to.   Applicant
contends that the use of Dex-Scope may have offered  a  substantial  benefit
for him during the initial onset of airsickness  and  possibly  aided  in  a
faster recovery.  With respect to his civilian experience, applicant  states
his financial leverage is no greater than that of his fellow  officers.   He
took advantage  of  a  low  interest  loan  at  great  personal  expense  to
demonstrate his resolve to overcome adaptability issues.  His objective  was
to refine his  skills  as  an  aviator  and  improve  his  airmanship  while
preparing for the unexpected at UPT.  His intent with his completion of  the
Emergency Maneuvers  Confidence  course,  Aerobatics  course,  and  his  IFR
rating was  to  assure  the  board  that  his  dedication,  adaptation,  and
qualification for his career field has ceased to  change.   His  IFR  rating
that he has received serves more than mere "building blocks."   He  strongly
believes his advanced ratings and aerobatic experience goes a  long  way  in
succeeding at SUPT.  His complete submission is at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

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 an injustice that would warrant  some  relief.   We  note  that
flying training is an extremely challenging and stressful  environment  that
requires the student's ability to concentrate and focus  completely  on  his
efforts.   In  addition,  we  note  that  airsickness   is   not   uncommon,
particularly in the  earlier  stages  of  flight  training.   The  applicant
contends  he  believes  the  use  of  Dex-Scope  during  the  onset  of  his
airsickness, may have substantially aided in his  ability  to  recover.   We
note that the Air Force has opined that  success  rates  of  pilot  trainees
using Dex-Scope in subsequent years have shown  no  significant  improvement
in treatment success.  Nonetheless, it is our  opinion  that  the  applicant
has established a reasonable doubt as to whether or not the use of the over-
the-counter  medication  would  have  aided  in  his  ability  to   recover.
Further, it is our opinion that any reasonable doubt in this  matter  should
be resolved in his favor.  We considered granting  the  applicant's  request
for reinstatement directly into SUPT  training;  however,  we  believe  that
because of the period of time since his expulsion and  the  rigorous  nature
of military flight training programs, it would be in the  best  interest  of
the Air Force and the applicant to allow him to reapply for  pilot  training
in order to ensure he meets the demanding qualifications.   Accordingly,  we
recommend that his records be corrected as indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air  Force  relating
to APPLICANT be corrected to  show  that  his  AETC  Form  126A,  Record  of
Commander's  Review  Action,  Section  III,  reflects  "BE  CONSIDERED   FOR
REINSTATEMENT IN THIS COURSE AT A LATER DATE."

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number  BC-2003-
03204 in Executive Session on 4 Feb 04, under  the  provisions  of  AFI  36-
2603:

      Mr. Michael K. Gallogly, Panel Chair
      Ms. Rita S. Looney, Member
    Ms. Mary Johnson, Member


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

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Sep 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, AETC/DOF, dated 9 Dec 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Dec 03.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, dated 17 Jan 04.




                             MICHAEL K. GALLOGLY
                                             Panel Chair

AFBCMR BC-2003-03204




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 his AETC Form 126A, Record
of Commander's Review Action, Section III, reflects "BE CONSIDERED FOR
REINSTATEMENT IN THIS COURSE AT A LATER DATE."








                                        JOE G. LINEBERGER
                                        Director
                                        Air Force Review Boards Agency