IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  7 February 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120013508 


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 a Master of Science Degree in Education with a major of Health and Physical Education which he obtained prior to attending medical school.

2.  He states he was informed that credit for his master's degree was denied for two reasons:  additional credit cannot be given in a single related field and the master's degree did not add "tangible value" to his family medicine specialty or allow him to advance in training ahead of his fellow interns.  He explains the Master of Science Degree in Education with a major of Health and Physical Education was a 30 credit hour program that he completed in one year because he was applying for medical school.  He lists the classes that were required in the program and maintains the program placed an emphasis on public health administration and on the psychology behind health promotion in classes.  He opines that the Master of Science Degree program added adjunctive skills to his medical specialty and his education program will contribute directly and positively to his performance as an Army physician.

3.  The applicant provides his Master of Science Degree, a transcript dated 
13 May 2006, and an e-mail.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  On 13 May 2006, the applicant was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Education with a major of Health and Physical Education from Virginia Tech.
2.  On 2 February 2007, he was appointed as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR).

3.  His DA Form 5074-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit) shows he was awarded 4 years of CSC for a Doctor of Osteopathy Degree conferred on 4 June 2011.  This form shows he attended the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine from 15 August 2007 to 4 June 2011.  It also shows no CSC was awarded for his Master of Science Degree from Virginia Tech.

4.  On 13 November 2012, the Program Manager, Graduate Medical Education Division, Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG) recommended disapproval of the applicant's request for additional CSC.  The program manager stated the applicant was requesting CSC for a Master of Science Degree in Education with a major of Health and Physical Education.  She stated in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, paragraph 6.1.1.3, constructive credit may be awarded only if such advanced education or advanced degree was required as a prerequisite for original appointment as a commissioned officer in a particular officer category.

5.  The program manager further stated 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.  She added the applicant's Masters Degree in Education is not required for appointment to the Medical Corps and will not add adjunctive skills to his specialty as a Family Medicine Physician.

6.  A copy of the advisory opinion was provided to the applicant for comment or rebuttal.  On 10 December 2012, he said he does not believe the program manager fully took into consideration the case or the laws and regulations surrounding his request for additional CSC.  He cites several DoD Directives and opines that his master's degree brings additional skills to his profession as a family physician that will allow him to better affect his patients.  He argues that multiple members of his class across specialties, branches, and locations have received CSC for other Master's degrees.

7.  DODI 6000.13 is the governing directive in granting entry grade/constructive credit.

   a.  In accordance with section 6.1.1.3 of this directive, CSC 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.  Section 6.1.2.2.3 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.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that on 13 May 2006 the applicant was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Education with a major of Health and Physical Education prior to his appointment in the USAR and subsequent to being awarded of a Doctor of Osteopathy Degree. 

2.  As specified in the DODI 6000.13, paragraph 6.1.1.3, CSC may be awarded only if such advanced education or advanced degree was required as a prerequisite for original appointment as a commissioned officer in a particular officer category and adds adjunctive skills to the primary specialty.  The OTSG determined the applicant's degree in education was not a prerequisite for his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and was not required for appointment to the Medical Corps.  He provides insufficient evidence to show his degree adds adjunctive skills to his primary specialty and contributes directly to his performance in that specialty.

3.  The applicant argues that multiple members of his class across specialties, branches, and locations have received CSC for other master's degree programs. The Board decides each case on its own merits when an applicant requests CSC.  Credit may be warranted if the Board determines that an injustice or an error occurred and the applicant was not given all the constructive credit due to him.   

4.  There is no evidence and he has failed to provide sufficient evidence to overturn the OTSG's determination.  In view of the foregoing, there is an insufficient basis to grant the 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)                                         AR20120013508



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120013508



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