RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2006-01036
INDEX CODE: 131.01
XXXXXXX COUNSEL: NONE
XXXXXXX HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His Air Force Achievement Medal (AFAM) third oak leaf cluster (3OLC),
awarded for the period 6 July 2003 through 7 August 2003, be included in
his promotion cycle 04E6 selection process to technical sergeant.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He was not put in for the medal in a timely manner due to a clerical error
through no fault of his own. The medal was supposed to be in official
channels well before the required time to count towards his 04E6 Weighted
Airman Promotion System (WAPS) score. Once the medal was belatedly awarded,
AFPC refused his request to credit the one point to his 04E6 WAPS score. He
has examples of other incidents where AFPC did grant requests to credit
past medals points, and he feels the decision on his behalf was unjust.
In support of his application, applicant provided a personal statement,
letters from his commanders and coworkers, copies of emails, his promotion
cycle 04E6 Weighted Airman Promotion System (WAPS) score notice, and
documents associated with the processing of his AFAM 3OLC.
Applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
Applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of staff
sergeant, having assumed that grade effective and with a date of rank of 1
October 2001. He was considered and not selected for promotion to the
grade of technical sergeant in the 04E6 promotion cycle.
The applicant's total weighted promotion score for cycle 04E6 was 319.58
and the score required for selection in his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)
was 319.76. If the AFAM (worth one point) were counted in the applicant's
total score, he would become a selectee for promotion pending a favorable
data verification check and the recommendation of his commander. Promotion
selections for this cycle were made 17 June 2004 with a public release date
of 24 June 2004.
On 21 November 2005, AFPC denied the applicant's request for an exception
to policy to have the decoration included in the promotion cycle process.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPPPWB reviewed applicant's request and recommends denial. The
applicant aggressively pursued the status of his citation once he
discovered he missed promotion for cycle 04E6, as stated in paragraph 16 of
his application. Therefore, he was supplementally awarded the points for
cycle 05E6; however, he himself admits that he only checked twice on its
status prior to selects being run for cycle 04E6. AFI 36-2803 specifically
states that if a decoration is lost, misplaced, etc., and resubmitted for
any reason, the reaccomplished decoration must be placed into official
channels when the decoration recommendation is signed by the initiating
official and indorsed by a higher official in the chain of command… not
when the Décor 6 is ordered as suggested by the applicant. The applicant is
correct as for as the two-year window for submitting decorations; however,
the promotion points would not be retroactive to a cycle two years prior as
the date the award was placed into official channels would obviously be
well after the select date for that cycle.
After an extensive review of the circumstances of this case to include
documentation provided, there is no conclusive evidence the decoration was
resubmitted and placed into official channels prior to the date promotions
were announced for cycle 04E6 and the applicant became aware that he had
missed promotion by less than one point. The date the USCENTAF Awards
processing form was received was 7 July 2005 and the RDP date was 18 July
2005… well after the select date of 17 June 2004 for cycle 04E6. To approve
this request would not be fair or equitable to many others in the same
situation who miss promotion selection by a narrow margin and not entitled
to have an "after the fact" decoration count in the promotion process.
AFPC/DPPPWB's evaluation is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and stated he fully understands
the policies in AFI 36-2502 and 36-2803 were created to prevent individuals
from undermining the WAPS Testing System by submitting medals after the
fact for the sole purpose of getting promoted, as stated in the advisory
opinion paragraph b. He feels this mistake is very well documented with
multiple statements by distinguished senior leadership confirming the
administrative mistake and the true intent of this medal. He respectfully
requests favorable approval by the BCMR based on the supporting
documentation he has provided.
Applicant’s response is at Exhibit E.
_________________________________________________________________
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. After reviewing the documentation
provided, we are convinced the AFAM should have been considered in the
selection process for the 04E6 promotion cycle. Documents provided
indicate the decoration was initially submitted for approval in September
2003. It also appears the applicant’s command made several inquiries
regarding the whereabouts of the award. It is apparent that this was not
an after-the-fact award based upon his non-selection for promotion.
Clearly, it was the intent of the applicant’s chain of command to have this
award in his records during the next promotion cycle; however, due to
numerous administrative shortfalls the award fell through the cracks. We
also note the statement from his commander which indicates he recommends
the applicant be considered for supplemental promotion. Therefore, 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 the Recommendation for Decoration
Printout (RDP) (Décor-6), for the award of the Air Force Achievement Medal
(AFAM), Third Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), covering the period 6 July 2003
through 7 August 2003, was signed by the commander on 1 September 2003
rather than 24 August 2005.
It is further recommended that the applicant be provided supplemental
consideration for promotion to the grade of technical sergeant beginning
with cycle 04E6.
If AFPC discovers any adverse factors during or subsequent to supplemental
consideration that are separate and apart, and unrelated to the issues
involved in this application, that would have rendered the applicant
ineligible for the promotion, such information will be documented and
presented to the board for a final determination on the individual’s
qualification for the promotion.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2006-01036
in Executive Session on 6 June 2006, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
Mr. James W. Russell III, Panel Chair
Ms. Janet I. Hassan, Member
Mr. Elwood C. Lewis III, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 21 Mar 06, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPPPWB, dated 21 Apr 06.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 May 05.
Exhibit E. Applicant's Response, dated 31 May 06, w/atchs.
JAMES W. RUSSELL III
Panel Chair
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