IN THE CASE OF:	

		BOARD DATE:	  29 April 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100000047 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests constructive service credit for completion of his master's degree in physiology.

2.  The applicant states he received a master's degree in physiology prior to entering the U.S. Army and his record does not reflect credit for completing this degree.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his diploma from Georgetown University and an uncertified copy of his official transcripts from Georgetown University showing he completed 19 graduate credit hours in the Master of Science degree program in physiology.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  On 9 June 1999, the applicant was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree by the University of California at San Diego.

2.  The applicant entered into a Department of the Army Service Agreement with the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences on 9 March 2003.

3.  The applicant received an appointment in the rank of second lieutenant as a Reserve commissioned officer of the Army on 17 June 2003 in the Medical Service Corps.  Additionally, the appointment memorandum shows he received no credit for "years of service in an active status."
4.  On 17 June 2003, the applicant was ordered to active duty in the grade of second lieutenant and directed to report to the Uniformed Services University of Health Services, Bethesda, MD, on 28 July 2003.

5.  On 31 August 2003, the applicant was awarded a Master of Science degree in physiology by Georgetown University.

6.  The applicant was commissioned as a captain in the Regular Army Medical Corps, with a specialty of internal medicine, on 19 May 2007.

7.  On 22 October 2007, the applicant entered into a graduate medical education training agreement with the Army for Internal Medicine at the National Capital Consortium - Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, beginning on 1 July 2008 with an anticipated completion date of 30 June 2010.

8.  In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion, dated 22 February 2010, was provided by the Program Manager, Graduate Medical Education Division, Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG).  OTSG states that paragraph 6.1.1.3 of DOD Directive 6000.13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel) provides that constructive credit may be awarded only if such advanced education or advanced degree is required as a prerequisite for original appointment as a commissioned officer in a particular officer category.  OTSG stated that the applicant's master's degree in physiology is not a prerequisite for his Doctor of Medicine degree because it will not reduce the length of training to meet specialty board requirements.  OTSG recommended denial of any additional constructive credit to the applicant.

9.  The applicant was sent the OTSG advisory opinion on 22 February 2010.  He did not provide a rebuttal statement.

10.  References:

	a.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.2 of DOD Directive 6000.13 states that credit for master's and doctorate degrees in a health profession other than medicine and dentistry, whether it is the primary degree or an additional advanced degree, shall be awarded based on actual full-time equivalent education of up to 2 years for a master's degree and up to 4 years for a doctorate.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.2 also states that no additional credit may be given for more than one advanced degree in a single field or closely-related field and that the total credit allowed for having both a master's and a doctorate degree may not exceed the maximum allowed for a doctorate.

	b.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.3 of DOD Directive 6000.13 states that an additional degree must add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in the anticipated position in the military service concerned.

	c.  Army Regulation 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Braches) prescribes policy, procedures, and eligibility criteria for appointment in the Reserve Components of the Army in the six branches of the AMEDD.

		(1)  Grade and date of rank upon original appointment and assignment to an AMEDD branch will be determined by the number of years of entry-grade credit awarded.  Such credit is derived by the sum of constructive service credit and credit for prior active commissioned service.

		(2)  Entry-grade credit will be recorded on the DA Form 5074 (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit (Medical and Dental Officers)).

		(3)  Table 3-3 (Credit for Qualifying Degree or Discipline) does not award credit for a master's-level degree of discipline in physiology.

		(4)  An individual who completes an educational program while a commissioned officer either on active duty or in an active status will be treated as having "constructive service credit" for the period during which he pursued the educational program.

		(5)  An individual who completes an educational program for the basic qualifying degree as a medical or dental doctor while a commissioned officer on active duty or in an active status will be treated as having "constructive service credit" for 4 years.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends he should receive constructive service credit for his master's degree in physiology completed prior to his entry onto active duty.

2.  The applicant entered service as a student in the F. Edward Hebert Armed Forces Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.  He was commissioned as a Reserve officer of the Army in the rank of second lieutenant in June 2003.

3.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.3 of DOD Directive 6000.13 and Table 3-1 of Army Regulation 135-101 are clear in that an advanced degree must add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty and must contribute directly to the performance in an anticipated duty position.  The listing of advanced degrees for credit in Table 3-3 does not include a master's degree in physiology.  

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 that requirement.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ____X___  ____X____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      _____________X____________
                 CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100000047



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100000047



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