RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-03930
INDEX CODE: 112.02
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His date of rank (DOR) to captain be adjusted to one year prior to his
current effective DOR of 21 May 2002.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He entered the Air Force as a first lieutenant, accessing at this grade
with three years of professional credit. His official length of program
letter specifies that his doctoral degree required nine semesters, which
equals four professional years of school, requiring 128 credit hours to
graduate in this program. However, this is an accelerated doctoral program
and is completed in only three calendar years. When he first applied for a
position as an Air Force Physical Therapist, his recruiter fought for his
accession as captain, believing the rank should reflect the doctoral
degree. He was told the determination of his accession as first lieutenant
was based on the information that the program was three calendar years in
length. However, the nine semesters of doctoral school were not
abbreviated in any way, but rather the semesters occurred over 36
consecutive months, with no time off in between. It has come to his
attention there is new guidance regarding grade credit for individuals
entering the Air Force. It indicates a doctoral degree is to be awarded
four years of professional credit. This guidance recognizes doctoral
graduates who have attended four professional years of education, yet
receive three professional years of credit.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant entered extended active duty as a physical therapist in the
Biomedical Sciences Corps (BSC) on 19 May 2001. Upon entry, he was given
three years’ service credit for his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from
Creighton University, thus he entered the Air Force as a first lieutenant.
He is currently serving in the grade of captain effective and with a DOR of
21 May 2002.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPAMF recommended denial. They indicated in November 2001, during a
records review, it was noted the actual length of the program at Creighton
University was three years (eight semesters) but was essentially four
academic (professional) years of work. Since the length of the program was
three years, the applicant’s constructive service credit equates to three
years. In accordance with AFI 36-2005, dated 1 May 1998, Table 2.5, Rule
40, the applicant should have received “1 Year for each school year not to
exceed (24 months for a master’s degree or) 48 months for a doctoral
degree. Since the actual length of program is three years, this equates to
three years constructive service credit.” The applicant’s constructive
service credit was awarded appropriately at three years.
The evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFPC/DPPPO has no recommendation. They indicate the applicant’s case is an
accession issue and if approved, the applicant will be eligible for major
in CY06.
The evaluation is at Exhibit D.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reviewed the evaluation and indicated Lieutenant General T’s
memorandum, dated 3 June 2003 recognizes the current DOD policy is
outdated, and according to DODD 6000.12, paragraph 4.1.1, “the award of
service credit” to health professions officers shall be, “uniformly applied
throughout the Military Departments.” Both Army and Navy award 24 months
credit for a master’s degree and 48 months for a doctorate regardless of
the length of program, and later in the same paragraph, asserts the need to
“remain competitive with the other services and award constructive credit
consistently,” resulting in his policy for awarding 48 months for a
doctoral degree, regardless of length. Please consider also that his
doctoral coursework was shorter only in the sense that he received his
degree earlier. The credit hours earned and time spent in class was in no
way lessened compared to other doctoral programs, the only difference is
that his doctoral program does not recess for the summer months.
Applicant’s response is at Exhibit F.
_________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice warranting the applicant’s DOR to
captain be adjusted. Notwithstanding the fact that the applicant’s plight
was caused by correct application of the policy, in effect at the time he
entered active duty, the Board agrees with the applicant that he is being
penalized for completing his education program earlier than 48 months. We
find it troubling that, had the applicant taken the full 48 months to
complete his program, he would have entered active duty as a captain with a
DOR of 21 May 2001. We note the USAF/SG has changed the policy pertaining
to constructive service credit in order to remain competitive with the
other services and award service credit consistently. In this respect, 24
months will be awarded for a relevant master’s degree and 48 months for a
doctorate effective immediately. Based on the above and in an effort to
provide the applicant full and fair relief, we recommend his records be
corrected to the extent 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 he was awarded one additional year
of constructive service credit and was appointed a captain, Reserve of the
Air Force (Biomedical Sciences Corps) on 8 May 2001, and at the time he was
voluntarily ordered to extended active duty on 19 May 2001, he was awarded
a current grade date of rank as a captain of 21 May 2001.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-
03930 in Executive Session on 24 February 2004, under the provisions of AFI
36-2603:
Ms. Marilyn Thomas, Panel Chair
Ms. Cheryl Jacobson, Member
Mr. Albert F. Lowas, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 19 November 2003 w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPAMF, dated 16 December 2003.
Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPPPO, dated 16 January 2004.
Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 January 2004.
Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant, dated 12 February 2004.
MARILYN THOMAS
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2003-03930
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 , be corrected to show that he was awarded one additional
year of constructive service credit and was appointed a captain, Reserve of
the Air Force (Biomedical Sciences Corps) on 8 May 2001, and at the time he
was voluntarily ordered to extended active duty on 19 May 2001, he was
awarded a current grade date of rank as a captain of 21 May 2001.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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