IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  6 March 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110018329 


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, in effect, constructive service credit for a Masters degree in Education and her civilian work experience.

2.  The applicant states:

	a.  Army Regulation 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department Branches) states that "degree must add adjunctive skills to primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in anticipated duty position."  She has a Masters degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education and Training.  This advanced degree directly correlates with her military accession as a 73A (Social Worker).  Her civilian work experience also warrants credit.

	b.  she is submitting this application in an effort to have her rank adjusted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant as a result of constructive service credit she should have been granted.  She applied to the Army Masters in Social Work (MSW) program and she was accepted.  It was her understanding she would be granted the rank of first lieutenant due to her advanced degree and work experience.  When she signed the paperwork she asked the recruiter why it indicated second lieutenant and the recruiter stated everyone signs in as a second lieutenant.  She was also advised by her recruiter and her assignment manager that her rank issue would be handled when she arrived at Fort Sam Houston, TX.  She quickly learned that was not true.


	c.  in her case, her Masters degree in Adult Education will significantly contribute to her ability to effectively provide services to Soldiers and their family members.  Course work included Psychological Foundations for Adult Learners, Curriculum Development for Adult Education, Methods and Strategies for Teaching Adults, and Research Methods.  As an Army Social Worker she will be required to assess and provide individual and unit level training.  Her knowledge of adult learning and teaching techniques will greatly enhance her effectiveness in terms of assessing clients and developing treatment plans.  She is also a licensed special education teacher that also gives her insight when working with families who may have children with emotional, behavioral, or physical special needs.

	d.  according to the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) credit calculator, she is eligible to receive 2 years and 5 months of constructive service credit.

3.  The applicant provides:

* Table 3-1 (Constructive Service Credit) of Army Regulation 135-101
* Three letters of recommendation for the MSW program
* An email, dated 28 March 2011
* Her Troy University transcripts
* Her order to active duty orders, dated 10 May 2011

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant provided a transcript that shows she obtained a Master of Science degree with a major in Adult Education in May 2011.

2.  Her oath of office is not available for review.

3.  Orders A-05-109580, issued by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY, dated 10 May 2011, ordered the applicant to active duty effective 1 July 2011 to fulfill an active duty requirement in a voluntary indefinite status.  Her active duty orders indicate:

* she was appointed in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 1 July 2011
* she did not receive any constructive service credit (0 years, 0 months, and 0 days)
* her entry grade was second lieutenant
* she would be a student in the Social Work program from 20 September 2011 to 2 December 2012


4.  She completed the AMEDD Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Sam Houston on 20 September 2011.

5.  There is no evidence of her civilian work experience in the available records.

6.  In the processing of this case, on 15 December 2011, a staff advisory opinion was obtained from the Director, Health Services Directorate, Headquarters, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox.  The advisory official recommended disapproval of the applicant’s request and pointed out:

   a.  The applicant was boarded for appointment and acceptance into the Army MSW program on 1 February 2011.

   b.  Her qualifying degree for appointment as a second lieutenant in a student status for this program is her Baccalaureate degree in Psychology.

   c.  All students who enter into this program enter as second lieutenants because their assignment as a Social Worker in the Army is contingent upon completion of the program and licensure.

   d.  Applicants who wish to use their Masters degree as their qualifying degree are ineligible for acceptance into this program.

   e.  In accordance with the Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel), section 6.1.2.2.3, no additional credit can be awarded for her Master of Science degree in Education because she is not currently qualified as a Social Worker in the Army, nor will it add an adjunctive skill once she was graduated from the program with a Masters degree in Social Work and is licensed to be a Social Worker.

7.  The advisory official recommended the applicant's total constructive credit remain firm at 0 years, 0 months, and 0 days.

8.  On 15 December 2011, a copy of the advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant for information and to allow her the opportunity to submit comments or a rebuttal.  She did not respond.

9.  DODI 6000.13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel), dated 30 June 1997, implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures to carry out medical manpower and personnel programs.  Paragraph 6.1. 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 (as outlined in the DODI) credit except in cases where the total exceeds the maximum credit allowed.  A period of time shall be counted only once when computing entry grade credit.

10.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.3 of DODI 6000.13 states the 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.

11.  Table 3-1 (Constructive Service Credit) of Army Regulation 135-101, dated 
15 February 1984, states to receive credit for additional advanced degrees the degree must add adjunctive skills to primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in anticipated duty position.  Credit is awarded based on full-time equivalent education up to 24 months for a Masters degree or up to
36 months for a doctorate.  Additional degree must not have been earned concurrently with primary credential.  Credit includes time spent in attainment of lower degree.  No additional credit will be given for more than one degree in a single field.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was appointed in the USAR on 1 July 2011, she did not receive any constructive service credit, and her entry grade was second lieutenant.

2.  The applicant contends she is entitled to 2 years and 5 months of constructive service credit due to her advanced degree and civilian work experience and that this degree adds adjunctive skills to her primary specialty.  However, in accordance with the governing regulation, no additional credit can be awarded for her Masters degree in Education because she is not currently qualified as a Social Worker in the Army, nor will this degree add an adjunctive skill once she has graduated from the program with a Masters degree in Social Work and is licensed to be a Social Worker.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief.








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)                                         AR20110018329



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110018329



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