IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  22 January 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140016890 


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 additional constructive credit for completion of his Master's of Public Health (MPH) in addition to his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

2.  The applicant states he should have received two additional years of credit for the completion of his MPH.  This would have given him the rank of captain with one year of service, resulting in a higher pay rate for the past three years and an opportunity for an earlier promotion.   

3.  The applicant provides copies of his MPH Diploma and an email.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant's medical training is shown as –

* on 13 May 2006, he received a Bachelor of Science degree
* on 19 March 2007, he enrolled in the U.S. Army Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) 
* On 21 May 2011, he received a Master's of Science - Public Health degree and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree
* on 20 September 2011, he was selected for Army graduate medical education (GME) training in Family Medicine with his training program commencing on 1 July 2012

2.  The applicant was commissioned and entered active duty on 6 June 2011.  He was granted 4 years of constructive service credit at this time.

3.  On 14 February 2014, he was granted a license to practice medicine as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

4.  In the development of this case an advisory opinion was obtained from the Army Recruiting Command, Medical Corps/Veterinary Corps Program Manager.  It was recommended that the applicant's request for additional constructive credit be denied.  It was opined that the MPH did not add adjunctive skills or contribute directly to his performance as a D.O.  Army Regulation (AR) 135-101 (Appointment of Reserve Commissioned Officers for Assignment to Army Medical Department Branches), Chapter 3 (Grade Determination) and Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 6000.13, section 6.1.2.2.1 were cited.

5.  A copy of the advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant and he submitted a rebuttal to the recommendation wherein he states: 

   a.  His current duty is as a battalion flight surgeon and he is a board-certified family physician.  According to the CDC and American Public Health Association, Public Health is the science of protecting and improving the health of communities through promotion of healthy lifestyles, research for disease and injury prevention and detection and control of infectious diseases.  Focus in this field includes, but is not limited to:
   
      (1)  monitoring health status of populations, 
      (2)  detecting and investigating health problems, 
      (3)  conducting research to enhance prevention, 
      (4)  developing and advocating for health policies, 
      (5)  implementing prevention strategies, 
      (6)  promoting healthy behaviors, 
      (7)  fostering safe environments, and 
      (8)  providing leadership and training. 
   
   b.  These items define what he does each day as an Army Medical Corps officer and very well illustrate the adjunctive skills that this degree adds to his primary specialty.
   
   c.  His MPH degree contributes directly to his performance as an Army Medical Corps officer and AR 135-101 and DODI 6000.13 do not apply to specific specialties within medicine.
   
   d.  He states according to Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 600-4 (AMEDD Officer Development and Career Management), Figure 9-1, an MPH is an example of additional training from years 6-12 for Medical Corps Active Army life cycle development and utilization.
   
   e.  Duty description for family physicians per DA PAM 600-4 is as follows: provides comprehensive care to patients at each echelon of the health service support system: cares for 85 percent of patients with problems in areas such as general medicine, gynecology, obstetrics, psychiatry, preventive medicine, pediatrics, and orthopedics in both in-patient and out-patient environments.
   
   f.  He relates that family medicine physicians within the Army have the ability to apply for a faculty development fellowship which includes an MPH.  During completion of this fellowship and MPH, officers receive full salary and benefits and have the degree fully paid which further exemplifies its importance within the field.
   
   g.  Army Regulation 135-1, Table 3-1, states that credit for additional advanced degrees must add adjunctive skills to primary specialty and must contribute directly to performance in anticipated duty position.  Public Health is listed in Table 3-4 as such a degree without any restrictions for Medical Corps officers.
   
   h.  He believes that according to Army Regulation 135-101 and DODI 6000.13, he is entitled to two additional years of constructive service credit for his MPH and no further justification should be required.
   
   i.  DODI 6000.13, Section 6.1.2.2.1 states four years of constructive service credit shall be granted for completion of first professional degrees that include medical (M.D.) and osteopathy (D.O.).  Section 6.1.2.2.3 further stipulates that 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.

6.  Army Regulation 135-101, chapter 3 states forth the policy and procedures for grade determination and award of constructive service credit.  It provides at:

   a.  Paragraph 3-1b, constructive service credit will be granted for periods of professional training and experience accrued after (emphasis added) receipt of the basic qualifying degree.

   b.  Paragraph 3-2, authorized credit in excess of the minimum required for appointment to the appropriate grade shown above will be used to adjust the date of rank within that grade.
   
   c.  Table 3-1 (Constructive Service Credit), wherein it states:
   
      (1)  4 years of credit is granted for a basic qualifying degree and credit is given only for the highest degree achieved in a particular field.
      
      (2)  Credit for an additional advanced degree must add adjunctive skills to the primary specialty and must contribute directly to the performance in an anticipated duty position.  
      
      (3)  The additional degree must not have been earned concurrently with the primary credential degree.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant completed his MPH concurrent with his completion of his DO.  As noted in AR 135-101, table 3-1 no additional constructive credit is authorized for a degree earned concurrent with the primary credential degree.

2.  Had the applicant earned the MPH after he had completed his DO, he would be entitled to additional years of constructive credit.  However, as this degree was earned concurrent with his DO, no additional constructive credit is authorized.

3.  Based on the above facts and findings, no relief is warranted.

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)                                         AR20140016890



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140016890



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