RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01457 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be granted a waiver for being twice deferred for promotion to 
the grade of lieutenant colonel (O-5) while on Active duty so he 
may transfer to the Air Force Reserve (AFR). Additionally, he 
requests a waiver for his medical condition, which was only 
uncovered as a result of the twice-deferred waiver not being 
processed in a timely manner. 

 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

After his discharge from active duty, he accepted a transfer to an 
AFR position. He was told by an in-service recruiter a waiver for 
being twice deferred for promotion was completed; however, he has 
since been informed his waiver was never accomplished and he may 
no longer serve in the AFR. He contends a new waiver is being 
expedited, but because of the delay in processing his original 
waiver, his physical examination is now expired. During his new 
physical exam, it was identified his blood pressure is slightly 
elevated and he has an atrial flutter. Had someone not messed up 
his transfer from active duty to the AFR, he would not be in a 
position to now require a waiver for his medical condition. To 
make matters worse, he was selected for promotion to the grade of 
lieutenant colonel (O-5) in the AFR but is now being told he 
cannot continue to serve without multiple waivers. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 27 Apr 02, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force. 

 

On 24 Oct 12, the applicant was approved by the Office of the 
Secretary of Defense for transfer into the AFR. 

 

On 30 Nov 12, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, 
and was credited with ten years, seven months, and four days of 
active service and received separation pay. Due to prior service 


time, at the time of discharge the applicant had 20 years, 9 
months, and 24 days of active service. 

 

On 1 Dec 12, the applicant was assigned to AFB, , in MilPDS. 
An assignment order was not issued. 

 

From 1 Dec 12 to 30 May 13 the applicant participated with his 
Reserve unit but did not receive pay. 

 

On 17 Jun 13, according to information provided by the applicant, 
he found out he was no longer affiliated with the AFR. 

 

On 8 Aug 13, IAW Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) Memo 13-21, 
the applicant was selected for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in 
the USAFR, with a date of rank of 1 Apr 14. 

 

On 22 Jan 14, as noted on DD Form 2808, Report of Medical Exam, 
the applicant was identified as not qualified for service for 
atrial flutter. He was advised to have his blood pressure and 
atrial flutter evaluated. 

 

On 11 Jun 14, ARPC issued Appointment Order, , assigning the 
applicant to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) Non-obligated Non-
participating Ready Personnel Section (NNRPS), effective 1 Dec 12, 
in the grade of major (O-4), for the period of three years based 
on his receipt of separation pay. 

 

On 14 Jul 14, the applicant was notified by ARPC that his IRR 
NNRPS status was limited to a period of not more than two years. 
Upon completion of those two years, he will be administratively 
discharged from his commission in the Air Force Reserve. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C 
and D. 

 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

ARPC/DPA recommends granting the applicant’s request indicating 
there is evidence of an error or injustice. In accordance with 
AFI 36-2005, Appointment In Commissioned Grades and Designation 
and Assignment in Professional Categories - Reserve of the Air 
Force and United States Air Force, the applicant's two time non-
selection for promotion made him ineligible for his original 
reserve appointment. However, in accordance with AFI 36-2115, Assignments Within the Reserve Component, applicants may be 
affiliated to the selective reserve unit program upon approval of 
HQ AFRC/A1. While the applicant was erroneously gained, there was 
no administrative error on his part. When the applicant’s waiver 
request was eventually received by AFRC, the applicant’s physical 
had expired and was then evaluated against accession standards. 


He should have been transitioned as a Palace Front applicant, 
which would have evaluated him against retention standards not 
accession standards, resulting in him not needing a physical exam 
in December 2012. The following corrections are recommended: 

 

a. Correct MilPDS to reflect immediate gain to the unit program 
on 1 Dec 12. 

 

b. Amend ARPC IMT 92, Appointment Order, , dated 1 Jun 14 to 
reflect original reserve appointment to unit program. 

 

c. Adjust point summary to reflect points and satisfactory 
service. 

 

d. Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) review for Transitional 
Assistance Management Program (TAMP) benefit reinstatement. 

 

A complete copy of the ARPC/DPA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

AFRC/A1K recommends disapproval indicating there is no error or 
injustice. There must be a military medical authoritative source 
that is on record advising the member was determined medically 
qualified for accession. The staff agency [ARPC] offering the 
position on the member's medical qualifications does not meet the 
credentialed criteria medically. However, if the decision to 
grant relief is approved, the ARPC recommendations should be 
implemented. 

 

A complete copy of the ARPC/A1K evaluation is at Exhibit D. 

 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

After his discharge, the applicant went through the Department of 
Veterans Affairs (DVA) Compensation and Pension Exam. A DVA 
doctor suspected he might have an occasional atrial flutter based 
solely upon Electrocardiogram (EKG) results. He did not have any 
symptoms of atrial flutter, i.e., heart palpitations, shortness of 
breath, chest pains, etc and since he does not have any symptoms, 
they could not make a conclusive diagnosis and did not prescribe 
any medication. In addition, his blood pressure was slightly 
high. He suspected that it had something to do with salt in his 
diet so he cut out processed foods. Meanwhile, he kept doing 
physical training (two mile runs and weight lifting) five days a 
week. In April 2013, he took his Air Force Fitness Test at 
AFB and passed. In December 2013, he went to Portland MEPs in 
order to update his physical. An EKG showed atrial flutter 
without any symptoms. In October 2014, he went to Hillsboro DVA 
clinic in Oregon for his annual physical. An EKG still showed 
atrial flutter, but he was still asymptomatic. His blood pressure 
reflected normal levels. It has been almost two years since he 
was diagnosed with atrial flutter, therefore, he does not see any 


reason to be denied approval of a waiver for being twice deferred 
for promotion and the medical requirements. 

 

 

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 with regards to the applicant’s 
request for a waiver, for being twice-deferred for promotion on 
active duty, to allow him to serve in the reserve unit program. 
After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the 
applicant’s complete submission, to include his rebuttal response, 
we believe the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice. 
We note the comments of AFRC/A1K indicating that relief should be 
denied because the applicant became medically disqualified during 
the application process; however, we believe a preponderance of 
the evidence substantiates that corrective action is warranted. 
In this respect, we note the processing and timeliness of the 
applicant’s promotion waiver was the primary factor in determining 
an injustice occurred. We found the applicant acted in good 
faith, when advised by the recruiter, that a waiver was being 
processed for him. Additionally, the applicant’s Reserve 
participation, while likely erroneous, was welcomed at his gaining 
unit and further supports his contention all parties believed he 
was serving in the appropriate capacity upon his transition from 
one component to another. The Board found it more likely than 
not, had the twice-deferred promotion waiver been processed in a 
timely manner, the applicant’s medical condition would have been 
evaluated under different (retention) standards and circumstances. 

 

In regards to the applicant’s request to waive medical 
requirements, the Board did not believe sufficient relevant 
evidence was presented that would support a recommendation to 
grant any medical waivers on behalf of the applicant. 

 

Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as 
indicated below. 

 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that Competent 
authority granted a waiver for being twice-deferred for promotion 
on active duty, to allow an appointment to the Air Force Reserve 
and assignment to the Squadron, AFB, , effective 
December 1, 2012, as a PALACE FRONT applicant. 

 


 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2014-01457 in Executive Session on 21 May 15 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-2014-01457 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 25 Mar 14, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Memorandum, ARPC/DPA, dated 16 Jun 14. 

 Exhibit D. Memorandum, ARPC/A1K, dated 23 Sep 14. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Oct 14. 

 Exhibit F. Applicant’s Rebuttal, dated 21 Oct 14.