IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  16 January 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130017777 


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 constructive service credit (CSC) for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree and on-the job-training that he obtained at TriHealth and the University of Miami.

2.  He states he was formerly a sergeant first class (SFC) and he is now a second lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) with no time in grade. He adds that prior to his commissioning he had many of the advanced education, computer experience, and acquisition certificates, etc., that are listed on the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) website as part of his area of concentration (AOC) 70D (Health Services Systems Management) career growth.  Therefore, he is requesting CSC for his MBA, 6 years of on-the-job training while at TriHealth, and 11 months on-the-job training at the University of Miami that directly applied to the 70D job.

3.  He provides:

* MBA transcript
* Curriculum vitae (CV) 
* USAREC Forms 195 (Applicant Evaluation Worksheet) dated 3 and 5 April 2013
* Seven letters of recommendation for direct officer appointment
* 
Certificates

* Mission Ready Contracting (MRC) Officer Course, dated 10 August 2012
* Certified Acquisition Professional, dated 1 May 2013
* Fundamental of Systems Planning, Research, Development, and Engineering, dated 19 August 2013
* Fundamental of Systems Acquisition Management, dated 13 May 2013
* Intermediate Cost and Price Analysis, dated 1 August 2013
* Program Management, dated 23 August 2013
* Fundamentals of Cost and Price Analysis, dated 7 January 2013
* Negotiating, dated 9 May 2013
* University of Cincinnati Bachelor of Arts (BA), dated 22 March 2008
* Thomas More College MBA, dated 16 December 2010

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  On 22 March 2008, the applicant was awarded a BA in Communication and on 16 December 2010, he was awarded an MBA.

2.  After serving as an enlisted Soldier in the healthcare field in the Army National Guard, on 24 May 2013 he was appointed as a 2LT in the USAR.

3.  His DA Form 5074-1-R (Record of Award of Entry Grade Credit (Health Services Officers)), dated 23 August 2013, shows he was not granted any CSC for the following sections and/or degrees:

* Section A (Credit for Basic Qualifying Degree) BA - Communication, University of Cincinnati, inclusive dates of attendance 26 August 2002 to 22 March 2008
* Section B (Credit for Advanced Education Beyond Basic Qualifying Degree) MBA - Business Administration, Thomas More College, inclusive dates 5 January 2009 to 16 December 2010
* Section C (Credit for Post-Baccalaureate Education)
* Section D (Credit for Professional Experience)

4.  During the processing of this case, on 22 October 2013, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Chief, Medical Service Corps Branch, Health Services Directorate.  The advisory official stated:

	a.  The applicant applied to become a 70D and his CV was reviewed by the Office of the Surgeon General (OTSG) who found him qualified.  His qualifying degree was a BA in Communication.  His degree did not have a high concentration in Information Technology (IT)/Information Management (IM) courses, but rather media communications.  His MBA focused on finance, accounting, negotiations and not IT/IM specialization as outlined in Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 600-4 (AMEDD Officer Development and Career Management) and DA PAM 611-21 (Military Occupational Classification and Structure).

	b.  In accordance with Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, paragraph 6.1 constructive credit for entry grade was calculated as a 2LT with zero years, months, and days time in grade.  This was based upon the fact that he had no prior commissioned service as an officer in the military and enlisted time in the service was not considered for credit upon appointment as an officer.  His advanced degree also did not add adjunctive skills to his job as a 70D to warrant appointment at a higher grade in the USAR.  Therefore, CSC was not warranted or authorized.

	c.  As a result, the advisory official recommended disapproval of the applicant's request for CSC.

5.  A copy of the advisory opinion was provided to the applicant for information and to allow him the opportunity to submit comments or a rebuttal.  On
4 December 2013, he stated he does not believe his credentials were properly considered in connection with the required credentials listed for a 70D on the AMEDD website.  He stated that while the advisory opinion stated his degrees did not have a high concentration in IT/IM courses, it failed to mention any consideration for his knowledge and experience beyond his academic curriculum. He reiterated his experience in healthcare as cited in his application to the Board and stated his leadership experience as an enlisted Soldier prior to becoming a commissioned officer, as documented on his enlisted evaluations, should have been considered.

6.  The applicant provided numerous certificates showing he successfully completed the MRC, Contracting, Acquisition, Cost and Price Analysis, Program Management, and Negotiating courses.  These courses, professional experience, and education are also listed on his CV.

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

	a.  In accordance with section 6.1 of this directive 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.

	b.  Section 6.1.1.3 of this directive states that 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.

	c.  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 22 March 2008 the applicant was awarded a BA in Communication and on 16 December 2010, he was awarded an MBA prior to his appointment in the USAR. 

2.  His DA Form 5074-1-R verifies that the Health Services Command took his basic qualifying degree, advanced education beyond basic qualifying degree, post-baccalaureate education, as well as his professional experience into consideration prior to determining that he did not qualify for CSC.  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.

3.  The OTSG determined the applicant had no prior commissioned service as an officer and his advanced degree also did not add adjunctive skills to his job as a 70D to warrant appointment at a higher grade.

4.  The applicant argues that his credentials were not properly considered in regard to his  MBA, 6 years of on-the-job training while at TriHealth and
11 months on-the-job training at the University of Miami that directly applied to the 70D job.  However, the evidence shows the OTSG was well aware of these qualifications as noted on his CV, but determined his qualifications did not warrant appointment at a higher grade in the USAR.  He provides insufficient evidence or argument to show the OTSG made an improper determination.

5.  There is no evidence of record and he has failed to provide sufficient evidence to warrant 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)                                         AR20130017777



3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20130017777



2


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1