RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
             AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:      DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2005-02534
            INDEX CODE:  100.00

            COUNSEL:  NONE

            HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  15 FEB 07

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded a 9-skill level in his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His records are in error.  He retired with 30 years of service and his  AFSC
reflects a 5-skill  level  and  it  should  reflect  a  9-skill  level.   He
believes this is an injustice and  would  like  to  see  it  rectified.   He
indicates he is a disabled former Prisoner of War (POW)  and  relies  solely
on his retirement income for living expenses.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant with prior service contracted his last enlistment on 3  August
1971 in the grade of master sergeant for a period of three years.

AF Form 2096, Classification/On-the-Job Training Action,  dated  10 December
1973, indicates the applicant was assigned a  Primary  and  Duty  Air  Force
Specialty Code (AFSC) of 43171C, Aircraft Maintenance Technician.

AF Form 911, CMSgt, SMSgt and MSgt  Performance  Report,  rendered  for  the
period 7 December  1971  through  6  December  1972,  Section  II  indicates
Permanent Air Force Specialty Code (PAFSC) 43171C, Duty Air Force  Specialty
Code (DAFSC) 43171C, and Control Air Force Specialty Code (CAFSC) 43171C.
AF Form 1161, Addendum to Application for  Voluntary  Retirement,  dated  25
October 1973, indicates the applicant applied  for  retirement  effective  1
August 1974; however,  he  had  been  afforded  employment  in  Arizona  and
requested a change of retirement to be effective 1 February 1974.

On 8 November 1973, the applicant’s request  for  voluntary  retirement  was
approved.  Retirement Order AC-32827, dated 9 November 1973,  indicates  the
following:  date relieved  from  active  duty  -  31  January  1974  with  a
retirement date of 1 February 1974.

On 1 February 1974, the applicant retired in the grade  of  master  sergeant
with 29 years, 11 months, and 29 days of total active duty service.

His DD Form 214,  Report  of  Separation  from  Active  Duty,  Section  16a,
Primary Specialty Number and Title indicates 43171C -  Aircraft  Maintenance
Technician.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPAC recommended denial indicating the guidance in effect at the  time
of the applicant’s retirement, AFM 35-1, Military  Personnel  Classification
Policy Manual (Officers, Warrant Officers, Airmen), dated  18  August  1970,
states in Table 6-5, Criteria for Award of Airman AFSCs, if an airman is  in
pay grade E-7; possesses a 7 level AFSC, which is normal input  source  into
a  9 level  AFSC;  achieves  a  qualifying  score   on   the   USAFSE;   has
satisfactorily performed in the 9-skill  level  AFSC  for  a  minimum  of  6
months; is recommended by supervisor; and award approved by commander,  then
the airman is qualified for award of AFSC at the 9-skill level.

After reviewing the applicant’s personnel records, they found no  supporting
documentation either awarding a 9-skill level in his AFSC of 431X1C or  that
he satisfied the criteria as cited above.  However, contrary to  applicant’s
allegation that his record reflects he was carried as a 5-skill level,  they
determined the documentation available does in fact indicate he was  awarded
the   7-skill   level   for   his   specialty.    Air   Force   Form   2096,
Classification/On-the-Job Training Action, dated 10 December 1973,  prepared
by 82 Flying Training Wing (ATC), Williams AFB, Arizona,  indicates  he  was
assigned a Primary and Duty AFSC of 43171C.  Furthermore, item  16a  of  his
DD Form 214,  Report  of  Separation  from  Active  Duty,  issued  upon  his
retirement  reflects  his  Primary  AFSC  as  43171C,  Aircraft  Maintenance
Technician.





The evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 23 September 2005, a copy of the Air Force evaluation  was  forwarded  to
the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this  date,  no
response has been received by this office.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.    The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing  law  or
regulations.

2.    The application was not timely filed; however, it is in  the  interest
of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.    Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to  demonstrate  the
existence of an error or injustice.  The applicant’s  contentions  are  duly
noted;  however,  after  reviewing  the  evidence  of  record,  we  are  not
persuaded the applicant was awarded a 9-skill level in his  AFSC.   We  note
there  are  no  documents  in  the  applicant’s  military  personnel  record
awarding him a 9-skill level in his AFSC of 431X1C, nor are there  documents
indicating he met the criteria for a 9-skill  level.   However,  his  record
does reflect he was awarded a 7-skill level for his  specialty  in  December
1973.  Therefore, we agree with the comments and recommendation of  the  Air
Force Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rational  as  the
basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the  victim  of  an
error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the  contrary,
we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented  did  not  demonstrate  the
existence of an error or injustice; the application  was  denied  without  a
personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon  the
submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not  considered  with  this
application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number  BC-2005-
02534 in Executive Session on 26 January 2006, under the provisions  of  AFI
36-2603:

                 Mr. Richard A. Peterson, Panel Chair
                 Ms. Patricia R. Collins, Member
                 Ms. LeLoy Cottrell, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 August 2005, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAC, dated 20 September 2005.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 September 2005.




                       RICHARD A. PETERSON
                       Panel Chair