IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	   22 July 2014 

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140002288 


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 correction of his military records to show he was promoted to staff sergeant (SSG) with a date of rank (DOR) of 1 June 2011.

2.  The applicant states he should have been promoted to the rank of SSG.  His S-1 did not upload two Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores into his military records and he became ineligible for promotion.  By the time his S-1 uploaded the two APFT scores, he had already fallen off the promotion standing list which integrated into the new Semi-Centralized Promotions System that took effect on
1 June 2011.  

3.  His battalion commander requested an administrative records correction from the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC).  HRC denied the request for the records correction and stated it could not go back any further than 15 May 2011 to verify the promotion points in his records, even though there was an Enlisted Record Brief (ERB) that showed he had 654 promotion points.  He feels that he did everything in his power to do the right thing and get things done in a timely manner.

4.  The applicant provides:

* ERB, prepared 21 April 2010
* memorandum from HRC, dated 25 May 2011
* memorandum from the U.S. Army New England Recruiting Battalion, dated 31 December 2012
* DA Form 705 (APFT Scorecard)
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 24 October 2005.  He completed training and was awarded primary military occupational specialty (PMOS) 74D (Chemical Operations Specialist).

2.  He is currently serving on active duty at the rank of sergeant (SGT).

3.  In a 21 December 2012 memorandum, the applicant's battalion commander requested a records correction on behalf of the applicant from HRC, Enlisted Promotions Branch.  The battalion commander stated the applicant was not properly credited with his two APFT scores, which caused his removal from promotion eligibility list in May 2011.  

4.  The battalion commander stated the applicant had 654 promotion points per his April 2010 ERB.  He further stated that the applicant fell off the promotion eligibility list because neither of his APFT scores from 26 October 2010 and 
26 April 2011 were updated in the system correctly by the previous S-1 section.  The applicant should have made the 1 June 2011 promotion cutoff score of 538 for SSG with his score of 654.  The battalion commander stated the applicant was not at fault for the action and should not be punished as the error occurred prior to the implementation of the new junior enlisted promotion guidelines outlined in Military Personnel (MILPER) Message 11-233 (Guidance for the Revised Semi-Centralized Promotion System, implementation date, 1 June 2011).

5.  In a 12 March 2013 memorandum, the Chief, Enlisted Promotions Branch, HRC, disapproved the request for the records correction for the applicant.  The memorandum indicated the HRC junior enlisted promotion records showed the applicant had 259 promotion points on his DA Form 3355 (Promotion Point Worksheet).  Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) cutoff scores for 
1 June 2011 showed 538 points for PMOS 74D.

6.  In the processing of this case an advisory opinion was obtained from the HRC Promotions Branch.  The HRC, Promotions Branch recommended disapproval of the applicant's request for correction of his military records.  It was stated the records available to the junior enlisted promotions section indicated the applicant had 259 promotion points on his DA Form 3355, dated 9 May 2011.  The cutoff score for PMOS 74D was 538 points for 1 June 2011.  The applicant's APFT, dated 26 April “2013,” was updated on 3 May 2011 and was reflected on his DA Form 3355, dated 9 July 2011.  Unit S-1's were given until 15 May 2011 to make all promotion updates to Soldiers' records.

7.  The applicant did not respond to the advisory opinion.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-19 (Enlisted Promotions and Reductions) governs the enlisted promotions and reductions function of the military personnel system.  Chapter 3 of this regulation governs semi-centralized promotions to SGT and SSG.  Promotion point cutoff scores are determined and announced monthly for each MOS based on the scores reported by the field and the needs of the Army by grade and MOS.

9.  MILPER Message 11-084 (Army Correspondence Courses for Promotion Points) provides procedural guidance for the new Semi-Centralized Promotions System that was implemented on 1 June 2011.  It applies to all Active Component, U.S. Army Reserve, and Active Guard Reserve Soldiers.  

	a.  The message states, in part, Brigade/Battalion S-1 and Unit HR Specialists will assist Soldiers with updating their personnel records through the electronic Military Personnel Office (eMILPO) system and update training records through the S3/G3 Army Training Requirements and Resources System (ATTRS) Representative.  Special attention should be paid to the following data fields on the ERB:  overseas tour length, combat experience, weapons qualification, physical fitness, military awards and decorations (awards, badges and certificate of achievements), military education, academic achievements for the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Education System, completed correspondence courses, distance and E-learning, civilian education, and technical certifications.  
   
   b.  Effective 2 May 2011, Brigade/Battalion S-1s were to have permission to view and edit the Promotion Point Worksheet. 

10.  MILPER Message 11-084 also states Soldiers will be responsible for maintaining and safeguarding their own promotion related documents.  It states Soldiers will: 
   
   a.  report to the S-3/G-3 ATTRS Representative for updates and ensure all training data is current and up to date.
   
   b.  report to their Battalion S-1 HR Specialist or Military Personnel Division (MPD) for ERB updates through eMILPO.
   
   c.  receive a copy of the approved promotion board proceedings from the unit S-1.


11.  MILPER Message 11-084 listed the key dates as:

   a.  7 March to 8 May 2011, the Brigade/Battalion, MPD and Unit HR Specialist will assist Soldiers with updating their personnel and training records through eMILPO and ATTRS.  All promotable specialist (SPC) and SGT records must be updated by 8 May 2011 to ensure timely data accuracy before promotion selections are released for 1 June 2011. 
   
   b.  5 April 2011, last day for Brigade/Battalion S-1's to validate promotion scores for 1 May 2011 promotion selection in the current Semi-Centralized Promotion System.  Results from all promotion boards must be entered into the system by 2 April 2011 to allow systems to update to the DA Form 3355.
   
   c.  6 April 2011, access to the DA Form 3355 system will be shutoff. 
   
   d.  20 April to 8 May 2011, conduct semi-centralized promotion boards using the revised Semi-Centralized Promotion System to affect promotions for 1 June 2011.
   
   e.  2 May 2011, the Automated Promotion Point Worksheet System will go live.  Soldiers will be able to view calculated points migrated to the system from existing information in eMILPO and ATTRS. 
   
	f.  2 to 8 May 2011, the Brigade/Battalion will review the automated Promotion Point Worksheet System and verify accuracy of promotion scores for promotable SPC and SGTs.   

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contentions about his eligibility for promotion to SSG, effective 1 June 2011, are acknowledged.  However, the evidence of record does not indicate that an error or injustice exists in this case.  

2.  The Army implemented the new Semi-Centralized Promotion System on 
2 May 2011, for 1 June 2011 promotions.  In order to transition to the new system, the previous system was shut down on 6 April 2011, requiring promotion points to be validated on 5 April 2011 for 1 June 2011 promotions.  Calculated points migrated to the new system from existing information in eMILPO and ATTRS.  Soldiers were given the responsibility from 7 April 2011 to 2 May 2011 to add and view documents in the new Semi-Centralized Promotion System.  The applicant had more than adequate time to ensure his records were uploaded into the new system and that his promotion points were accurately calculated in his DA Form 3355 for the 1 June 2011 board.
3.  The applicant states his S-1 did not upload his two APFT scores into his military records and he became ineligible for promotion.  HRC Enlisted Promotion Branch denied his request for the records correction.  HRC determined the applicant had 259 promotion points on his DA Form 3355, dated 16 May 2011.  His request did not warrant a records correction under the Semi-Centralized Promotion System because the cutoff scores for PMOS 74D was 538.  In the absence of documentary evidence showing he was improperly denied promotion to SSG, there is no basis for granting 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)                                         AR20140002288



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140002288



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