IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  26 May 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100020467 


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 award of additional constructive service credit (CSC) for Registered Nurse (RN) work experience prior to military service.

2.  The applicant states her board date was 7 July 2009 but she had 8 more months of work as an RN.  She contends that her total work experience as an RN prior to the Officer Basic Course is 20 months.

3.  The applicant provides a verification of employment letter.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant was appointed in the Army Nurse Corps in the rank of second lieutenant (2LT) and executed an oath of office on 8 July 2009.

2.  She provides a verification of employment letter that shows she worked as an RN from 29 May 2007 to 12 March 2010.  She was granted an RN license on 
30 July 2008.  

3.  A DA Form 5074-1-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit) shows she was granted 5 months and 12 days of CSC for professional experience from 30 July 2008 (date of licensure) to 23 June 2009 (date of board).



4.  In connection with the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Active Duty Nurse Program Manager, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, KY.  The Program Manager recommended that the applicant's request be denied.  The opinion states the applicant was board selected for the Regular Army Nurse Corps on 23 June 2009 in the rank of 2LT with 5 months and 12 days of CSC for work experience.  She did not meet any other conditions to receive CSC.  RN work experience is earned for full-time employment from the date of initial licensure to the board selection date.  The applicant stated she worked as an RN for 8 more months from the board date to attendance at the Basic Officer Leadership Course.  The opinion concluded that per regulation, constructive credit calculation ceases at the date of the board and therefore, she cannot receive work experience credit after being boarded on 
23 June 2009.

5.  The advisory opinion was provided to the applicant for comment and/or rebuttal.  No response was received.

6.  Army Regulation 135-101 prescribes policy, procedures, and eligibility criteria for appointment in the Reserve Components of the Army in the six branches of the Army Medical Department.

	a.  Chapter 1, paragraph 1-3 (Personnel Eligible and Grade on Appointment), provides that commissioned officers of any Reserve Component (RC) of the Army who have served satisfactorily in the specialty for which they are applying may be appointed and/or called to active duty under either (1) or (2) below, whichever selection would result in a higher grade or greater promotion service on the date of appointment:

	    (1)  In the grade currently held if serving in the specialty for which applying.  
	    (2)  In the highest grade for which they can qualify by education and experience, gained after becoming professionally qualified.  This is indicated in chapter 3.

	b.  Chapter 3 (Grade Determination), paragraph 3-2 (Determination of entry grade for officers not ordered to active duty), provides the criteria for determining the grade of RC officers without concurrent call to active duty.  This document shows that an individual granted entry-grade credit of less than 3 years will be appointed in the rank of 2LT.  This document also shows that authorized credit in excess of the minimum required for appointment to the appropriate grade will be used to adjust the date of rank within that grade.

7.  DOD Instruction Number 6000.13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel) prescribes policy and procedures in granting entry-grade credit to any person appointed, assigned, or designated as a "health professions officer" in the Military Departments:

	a.  Paragraph 6 (Procedures), subparagraph 6.1 (Entry Grade Credit), states that a prospective health professions officer's entry grade and rank within grade shall be determined by the number of years of entry-grade credit awarded on original appointment, designation, or assignment as a health professions officer.  The entry-grade credit to be awarded shall equal the sum of constructive service credit and prior commissioned service credit (other than as a commissioned warrant officer), except in cases where the total exceeds the maximum credit allowed.

	b.  Subparagraph 6.1.2 (Constructive Service Credit) states that this credit provides a person who begins commissioned service after obtaining the additional education, training, or experience required for appointment, designation, or assignment as a officer in a health profession with a grade and date of rank comparable to that attained by officers who begin commissioned service after getting a baccalaureate degree and serve for the period of time it would take to obtain the additional education.

	c.  Subsection 6.1.2.2.5 provides that credit of one-half for each year of experience, up to a maximum of 3 years of constructive credit, may be granted for experience as a health professional.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's request for additional CSC for RN work experience prior to military service has been carefully reviewed.

2.  She obtained her RN license on 30 July 2008 and was board selected for the Regular Army Nurse Corps on 23 June 2009, in the rank of 2LT, with 5 months and 12 days of CSC for work experience.

3.  Only full-time work experience as a licensed RN through the nurse selection board is creditable.  Therefore, she was appropriately awarded CSC and there is no basis to grant her request for additional CSC.



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)                                         AR20100020467



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100020467



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