| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. G. E. Vandenberg | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Walter T. Morrison | Member | |
| Ms. Karen Y. Fletcher | Member |
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests that he be granted constructive credit for having completed a Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Systems.
2. The applicant states, in effect, that his degree meets the regulatory requirements for a granting of additional constructive service credit.
3. The applicant provides documents from his military records and a Humbolt State University transcript for the period 1998 through 2001.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The evidence of record shows that the applicant attended the Humbolt State University and was awarded an MS in 2001.
2. On 23 October 2002 the applicant was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve Medical Service Corps. He was ordered to active duty to attend the officer basic course on 22 November 2002.
3. During the processing of this case an advisory opinion was received from the Program Manager, Health Professionals Special Pay, Office of The Surgeon General. The Chief stated that the applicant’s degree did not meet the requirements of Army Regulation 135-101 (Table 3) and Department of Defense Instruction 6000-13, paragraph F b. (2) (a) through (c).
4. The unfavorable advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant and he has provided additional comments reiterating his position.
5. In his rebuttal the applicant challenges the advisory opinion contending, in effect, that the regulations state the basic requirement for entry as an Environmental Science Officer is a BS and therefore his MS in Environmental Systems does constitute an enhancement of his skills. He further states that had he entered the service with just a BS he would have been “grossly unprepared for the responsibilities and tasks” required of him.
6. Army Regulation 135-101 provides the policy and sets forth the procedures for the Reserve appointment of Army Medical Department (AMEDD) officers with or without a concurrent call to active duty. General provisions for entry grade determination specify that entry grade credit (except as limited by maximum credit limits) will be the sum of constructive credit plus credit for prior service. The maximum entry grade credit is 14 years. In accordance with Table 3-1 entry grade credit is awarded on a year for year basis for qualifying education and advanced degrees which enhance skills. Full time professional experience receives entry grade credit on as basis of ½-year credit per year of experience up to a maximum of 3 years. Unusual cases of other experience or education may additionally be credited at the ½-year per year basis after up to a maximum of 3 years. Constructive service credit will be awarded for periods of professional training and experience accrued after receipt of basic qualifying degree in accordance with appropriate tables.
7. Army Regulation 135-101 further states that an Environmental Science Officer “Must (emphasis added) have a masters degree in public health or related area of specialization (such as environmental science, industrial hygiene or food technology) from a school acceptable to The Surgeon General (TSG). Persons with a baccalaureate degree in these fields may (emphasis added) also be considered.”
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The normal educational requirement for entry as an environmental science officer is a masters degree. The fact that someone with baccalaureate degree may be considered does not make the normal requirement of a masters degree an additional degree.
2. Constructive service credit is creditable only for additional advanced degrees which enhance a member's skills.
3. By his own statement of “Had I entered this position with only my BA degree in biology, I would have been grossly unprepared for the responsibilities and tasks required of me”, the applicant himself demonstrates that an MS is required to perform the duties of an environmental science officer.
4. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__RVO__ ___WTM_ __KYF __ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2003091300 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20040129 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 112.07 Constructive service credit |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150009418
The applicant states the DA Form 5074-1-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit Health Services Officers) filed in her military service records does not show she completed a second BS degree (in Biology) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. She states that Army Regulation 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Branches), Table 3-4 (Credit for Additional Advanced Degrees), provides for additional constructive credit...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060006246
The applicant requests, in effect, award of constructive credit for adjustment to his date of rank for second lieutenant. The applicant was appointed in the United States Army Reserve, Medical Service Corps, as a second lieutenant, with an effective date and date of rank of 8 October 2004. His DA Form 5074-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit (Health Services Officers)), dated 21 October 2004, shows that he was awarded 0 years, 0 months, and 0 days constructive credit for his basic...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004100211C070208
The applicant states that he should have been granted 4 years constructive service credit for his PhD in nutrition because it definitely adds adjunctive skills to his qualifications and made him a more valuable asset to the Army. He also provided his certification card as a Registered Dietician showing a qualification period from 22 October 2003 to 31 August 2004, a copy of chapter 3 of Army Regulation 135- 101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100012934
The applicant requests he receive 2 years of constructive service credit for his Master of Science in information systems degree and 3 years for work experience, and that his appointment in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) be corrected to the rank of first lieutenant. HRC recommended the applicant be awarded 5 years constructive service credit toward his entry grade credit for the attainment of his master's degree and subsequent prior professional experience that will be directly used by the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080010213
IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 April 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080010213 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant states that she received two masters of science degree before she was commissioned. There is no evidence of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence to support her contention that she was informed that she would receive additional constructive service credit for any advanced degree.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130002987
The applicant requests correction of his military records to show he was granted an additional year of constructive service credit (CSC). The applicant states he should have received an additional year of CSC based on the criteria shown in Table 3-5 of Army Regulation 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department Branches). The applicant provides: * Army Regulation 135-101, pages 17, 19, and 23, dated 15 February 1984 * Army Regulation...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100028125
The applicant requests correction of her records to show she was granted 2 years of constructive credit upon entry on active duty in the Regular Army (RA). Part I, section B (Credit for Advanced Education Beyond Basic Qualifying Degree), she was granted a Master of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of South Florida, on 5 May 2000; c. Part I, section D (Credit for Professional Experience), she held an "ARNP Florida License" from 31 July 1995 to 18 November 2008; d. Part II (Prior...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100018909
The opinion points out: * the applicant was board selected for Reserve Component Army Nurse Corps on 22 September 2009 in the grade of second lieutenant with 8 months and 29 days of constructive credit for RN work experience and board certification credit * all constructive credit calculations cease at the time of the board and no proactive credit for future degrees are awarded * RN work experience is earned for full-time employment from the date of initial licensure up to the board...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080020084
Army Regulation 135-101 also specifies that officers being appointed in the Medical Corps with a basic qualifying degree of Doctor of Medicine may be awarded 4 years constructive service credit. Paragraph 6.1.2. of DODI 6000.13 states that constructive service credit provides a person who begins commissioned service after obtaining the additional education, training, or experience required for appointment, designation, or assignment as an officer in a health profession, with a grade and...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040003402C070208
The applicant requests that her records be corrected to show she was granted 3 years, 7 months, and 1 day of constructive service credit and to show she was appointed a first lieutenant. The applicant states that she was not granted constructive service credit for her Master's degree or for 6 months of clinical experience (during which time she was licensed). The proponent of DODI 6000.13 has confirmed that Physician Assistants are required to pass the national registry examination;...