BOARD DATE:	  21 August 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120005037 


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 2 years of additional constructive service credit (CSC) for obtaining a Master’s Degree.

2.  The applicant states:

   a.  she completed the requirements for her Master’s of Biological Science degree in May 2002, prior to entering medical school through the Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (AFHPSP);

   b.  the governing Army regulation (AR) and Department of Defense Instructions (DODI) show that she is eligible for 2 additional years of CSC; and 
   
   c.  the additional credit would authorize her an earlier date of rank (DOR) and a pay increase.

3.  The applicant provides:

* two copies of her Master of Biological Science Degree
* Drexel University Transcript (2 pages)
* DA Form 61 (Application for Appointment)
* active duty order
* DODI Number 6000.13 (Medical Manpower and Personnel)
* AR 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department Branches)

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant’s military record shows she entered the AFHPSP and was appointed a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 28 February 2002.

2.  The applicant's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) contains a 
DA Form 71 (Oath of Office-Military Personnel) which shows she was appointed a Reserve officer in the rank of captain (CPT) on 21 May 2006.

3.  Her OMPF includes U.S.Army Human Resources Command (AHRC) Order Number 219-004, dated 7 August 2006, adjusting her CPT DOR in the Medical Corps (MC) to 7 June 2006.

4.  On 14 June 2006, the applicant was ordered to active duty as a MC CPT and assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC), Madigan General, Tacoma Washington.  She is now serving as a general surgery service intern at MAMC.

5.  The applicant provides a copy of her academic transcript from Drexel University, which shows she completed the requirements for and was awarded her Master of Biological Science Degree, specializing in biology science on 7 June 2002.

6.  In connection with the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Chief, Graduate Medical Education Division, Office of The Surgeon General (OTSG).  The opinion states:

   a.  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;
   
   b.  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;
   
   c.  the applicant's degree in biological science is not a prerequisite for her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree, it is not required for an appointment in the MC, and will not add adjunctive skills to her specialty as a general surgeon; and
   
   d.  the recommendation is denial of the applicant's request.

7.  On 27 June 2012, the applicant was forwarded a copy of the OTSG advisory opinion.  No response has been received.
8.  Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, dated 30 June 1997, Subject:  Medical Manpower and Personnel, provides the policy on awarding constructive credit.  Paragraph 6.1 states that a prospective heath profession officer’s entry grade and rank 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 CSC and prior commissioned service credit except in cases when the totals exceed the maximum credit allowed.  It further stipulates that a period of time shall be counted only once.

9.  Paragraph 6.1.2 of DODI 6000.13 contains guidance on CSC.  It states this 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 DOR 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.

10.  Paragraph 6.1.2.2.2. of DODI 6000.13 states 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 degree, shall be awarded based on actual full-time equivalent education up to two years for a master’s degree and up to four years for a doctorate.  The DODI guidance further indicates 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.  AR 135-101 prescribes policy, procedures, and eligibility criteria for appointment in the Reserve Components of the Army, with or without concurrent active duty, in the six branches of the Army Medical Department.  Chapter 3 contains guidance on awarding entry grade credit for Reserve appointment grade determination.  Paragraph 3-4 (Transition Credit) states that the law and regulations in effect on the date of the appointment will determine the grade and DOR upon appointment.  Table 3-1 states that credit for advanced degrees may be awarded at the rate of 1 year for each year (school year).  The degree must add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in the anticipated duty position.






DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends she is entitled to 2 years of additional CSC for her Master of Biological Science Degree.  However, there is insufficient evidence to support this claim.
2.  By law and regulation, CSC is awarded at the time of appointment/ commissioning to provide 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 DOR 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.  

3.  The evidence of record confirms the master's degree in question was conferred on the applicant on 7 June 2002.  She was appointed a captain in the MC of the USAR, on 21 May 2006, and she entered active duty on 14 June 2006. While the governing DODI and regulation authorizes up to 2 years of additional credit for a primary or advanced master's degree based on full time education in a health profession other than medicine and dentistry it also stipulates that the advanced degree must be a prerequisite for original appointment as a commissioned officer in a particular officer category, add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty, and contribute directly to performance in the anticipated position in the military concerned.  There is no evidence to show the applicant's advanced degree satisfied these criteria.  Accordingly, there is no basis for granting the requested relief in this case.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant's request should be denied.

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)                                         AR20120005037



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120005037



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