RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-02382

		COUNSEL:  NONE
	XXXXXXX
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO


________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

The Fitness Assessment (FA), dated 28 Jun 11, be declared void 
and removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System 
(AFFMS).
________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Prior to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), he was current on 
his FA. To remain current he participated in the contested FA 
shortly after relocating; however, he was unaware of the 42 day 
acclimation period and failed due to not being accustomed to the 
high humidity and heat of his new duty station.  He had 
previously lived in a desert climate for 6 years and the change 
significantly decreased his run time, precluding him from 
achieving a passing score on the contested FA.

In support of his appeal, the applicant references AFI 36-2905, 
AFGCM 5, dated 3 January 2013, Para 4.2.4. “PCS Moves. 
Exemptions are not granted for members in outbound status. 
Members pending PCS must have a current FA score on file that 
will not expire prior to the Report-No- Later-Than-Date (RNLTD) 
at the next duty location. If the score expires prior to the 
RNLTD at the next duty location, member must be scheduled for a 
FA before their departure. A member in inbound status is given 
42 days from his/her Date Arrive Station (DAS) date to 
acclimatize before assessment.

Examiner’s Note:  The applicable AFI according to the date of 
the test is AFI 36-2905, AFGCM, 2.1, implemented on 1 January 
2011. However the reference the applicant cites is the same.    

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
 
STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in 
the grade of Master Sergeant (E-7).

An AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent Change 
of Station, dated 28 Mar 11, assigned the applicant Permanent 
Change of Station, with Permanent Change of Assignment from 
Davis-Monthan AZ to Robins AFB, GA with a Report not Later Than 
Date (RNLTD) of 30 May 11.

On 28 June 11, the applicant participated in a FA, attaining an 
overall composite score of 69.30, which constituted an 
“unsatisfactory” assessment.  The applicant was credited with 
the following component scores:  Cardio – 14:15/35.80, Abdominal 
Circumference – 34.00”/20.00 points, Push-ups – 34/7.00 points, 
Sit-ups – 40/6.50 points.

A list of the applicant’s last eight FA results is as follows: 

Date 
Composite Score
Cardio
Rating
10 Jul 2013
100.00
Exempt
Excellent
29 Jan 2013
89.50
Exempt
Satisfactory
11 Jul 2012
87.75
Exempt
Satisfactory
11 Aug 2011
75.30
14:00/39.30
Satisfactory
*28 Jun 2011
69.30
14:15/35.80
Unsatisfactory
9 Dec 2010
90.50
44/52.40
Excellent
10 Mar 2010
84.00
13:40/34.00
Good
23 Mar 2009
84.00
13:47/34.00
Good
*Contested FA

Examiner’s Note:  While the applicant received an “Excellent” 
rating on his 9 Dec 10 FA, he was exempt from one or more of the 
components. Therefore, he was required to test NLT the last day 
of the month, six calendar months from the previous passing test 
(30 Jun 2011). IAW AFI 36-2905, AFGCM Para 2.1. “Airmen who 
score an Excellent but were medically exempt from testing in one 
or more of the four components will continue to test twice a 
year.” Para 2.11. Scheduling. “RegAF, AFR, and ANG (Title 10) 
members are mandated to complete an official FA at a minimum of 
twice yearly. Members must test by the last day of the month, 
six calendar months following the previous passing test (e.g., 
if member tested on 15 April, then member must retest on/before 
31 October of the same year.”  With a RNLTD date of 30 May 11, 
the applicant was not required to test prior to his scheduled FA 
and was allowed 42 days after the RNLTD date to test, but was 
not required to do so.  

On 16 Dec 13, a similar request was considered and denied by the 
Fitness Assessments Appeals Board (FAAB), on the basis of “Lack 
of knowledge of AFI 36-2905 does not support claim.”
________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial of the applicant’s request to 
remove the contested FA in AFFMS due to the applicant’s 
irresponsibility of not knowing the standards set forth IAW AFI 
36-2905, Fitness Program, AFGM2.1 1 July 2011.  “It is every 
Airman's responsibility to maintain the standards set forth in 
this AFI 365 days a year.” Paragraph 6. "Airmen are responsible 
for maintaining currency standards.  Specifically, each Airman 
is affirmatively responsible as follows: 6a. Know the block of 
time within which his or her Fitness Assessment (FA) is required 
to remain current. 6b. If a FA has not been scheduled in the 
period required to remain current, notify the designated FAC 
representative, UFPM, or superior authority, in writing 
(includes e-mail) of the need to schedule the FA and requests 
that it be scheduled immediately (or accomplishment within the 
required window. It is ultimately the member's responsibility to 
ensure their FA is scheduled.” Para 4.2.4. “PCS Moves: 
Exemptions are not granted for members in outbound status. 
Members pending PCS must have a current FA score on file that 
will not expire prior to the Report-No- Later-Than Date (RNLTD) 
at the next duty location. If the score expires prior to the 
RNLTD at the next duty location, member must be scheduled for a 
FA before their departure. A member in inbound status is given 
42 days from his/her Date Arrive Station (DAS) date to 
acclimatize before assessment."

DPSIM states the applicant took his FA on 28 June 2011 to remain 
current on his FA, but should have taken the FA before his PCS. 
According to the applicant he was unaware of the required 42 day 
acclimation period before he took his FA on 28 June 2011. 
However, according to the AFI it is the applicant’s 
responsibility to know the standards of the Fitness program.  
Furthermore, the acclimation period is not a requirement to take 
the FA; it states it is given to the member to acclimatize 
before the assessment. The applicant failed to invoke the 42 day 
acclimation period by taking the contested FA.  If he did not 
take the FA, then he would not have been current IAW the AFI.  
DPSIM concludes that the contested FA is a legitimate 
unsatisfactory score, in accordance with AFI 36-2905, Para 2.12. 
which states, "Failing to remain current, as well as failing to 
attain a passing score on the applicable fitness test before the 
end of any performance report reporting period, will result in a 
"DOES NOT MEET STANDARDS."

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSIM evaluation, with attachments, 
is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation, with attachment, was 
forwarded to the applicant on 10 Jan 14 for review and comment 
within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received 
by this office (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 error or injustice. After 
thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the 
applicant’s contentions, we believe he has met his burden of 
establishing the contested FA should be declared void.  The FAAB 
disapproved the request, stating the applicant’s lack of 
knowledge of AFI 36-2905 does not support the claim and 
AFPC/DPSIM recommends denial indicating that per the governing 
AFI it is the applicant’s responsibility to know the standards 
of the Fitness Program.  While we agree the applicant should 
have a better understanding of the instructions concerning the 
fitness program, the fact is that he did not have enough time to 
acclimate to the environment of his new duty station.  Therefore 
we believe his ability to successfully pass the contested FA, 
was through no fault of his own.  Given that this is the only FA 
the applicant has received an unsatisfactory score and the time 
period afforded to acclimate to the particular environment of 
his new duty station, we recommend the applicant’s records be 
corrected as indicated below.
________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the 
Fitness Assessment, dated 28 Jun 11, be declared void and 
removed from the Air Force Fitness Management System.
________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02382 in Executive Session on 30 Apr 14, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member
?
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-02382 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Apr 13.
	Exhibit B.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSIM, dated 18 Oct 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Jan 14.




                                   
                                   Panel Chair