BCMR Questions

[Roentgenman]

What is the name of your state? Ohio
I submitted a DD 149 to the board in an attempt to have my RE code changed from RE-4 to something that would allow me to reenlist into the Army. Last August I was approached by a recruiter at a veterans function for my sons school asking me if I was intrested in reenlisting. I told him that I would love to get back into the Army but that I tried shortly after 9/11 to get in and was turned away without any explanation. He said if I was intrested he could look into it and see if he could get me back in. I had served for 12 years and had been out for 8 and was seperated early for being selected under QMP and given an RE-4 with a narrative reduction in force. After 6 months for trying to get the RE code waived or an exception to policy to allow me to reenlist I was told that I would have to submit a DD 149 to the BCMR to have it changed. I had the help of the VA and my recruiter to get my packet togather and they say I have a very good case to have the RE code changed and my records ammended to allow me to reenlist.
My questions are; In a case like mine where there are alot of supporting documents that do prove that I was selected unfairly for QMP, how long does it take for the board to make it's decision and is there any way to contact the board to get a status update on the proceedings. As it is now you get no feedback other than mailing it certified return receipt to show if the board has even recieved it or not.

[RealAmerican]

Screening is conducted during regularly scheduled DA promotion boards. Soldiers barred by an HQDA selection or promotion board receive notification by memorandum and copies of documents used in making the decision for QMP action. These soldiers will be personally counseled by the commander. You will schedule the sessions and provide the commander with all the information he needs. The commander will personally present the memorandum and enclosures and counsel the soldier.

The following options are available to the soldier:

* Do nothing
* Appeal.
* Request separation.
* Request retirement.

Commanders will initiate separation proceedings in accordance with AR 635-200 not later than 60 days following the date the soldier is notified of the bar, unless the soldier elects to retire, appeal, or requests voluntary separation.

Another method of QMP is the qualitative retention feature, commonly referred to as the "up or out" program. This program establishes time limitations (known as retention control points) or suspense dates for promotion of a soldier in a certain grade. A soldier who is not promoted to the next higher grade by the retention control point must separate at normal ETS. There are no waivers to this criteria.

Maybe this will help... Good Luck upgrading an RE code is a difficult uphill battle.

"Throughout its history, America has given hope, comfort and inspiration to freedom’s cause in all lands. The reservoir of good will and respect for America was not built up by American arms or intrigue; it was built upon our deep dedication to the cause of human liberty and welfare."

Adlai Stevenson

[Roentgenman]

I was discharged in 11/1998, I was wondering after submitting a DD 149 (request for review of military records) this is the board that updates or changes military records of veterans for discharge upgrades, etc. I had hoped that someone had expierence with this board and knew it's procedures and how long it usually takes for them to make a decision.

[RealAmerican]

Any person with military records, or his or her heirs or legal representative, may apply to the appropriate service's Board for the Correction of Military Records. The Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard have separate boards. The Navy operates the board for both Navy personnel and members of the United States Marine Corps.

Title 10, United States Code, Section 1552, is the law governing correction of military records. This statute authorizes the Secretary of the service concerned to correct any military record when "necessary to correct an error or injustice." The purpose of this statute was to relieve the Congress from consideration of private bills to correct errors or injustices in military records. The statute provides for the service secretaries to act through a board of appointed civilians in considering applications for correction of military records. AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, implements the statute within the Air Force. Army Regulation 15-185 implements the statute within the Army. The Code of Federal Regulations; Title 33, Part 52;2. implements the statute within the Coast Guard. The Navy and Marine Corps implements the statute through The Navy, Code of Federal Regulations; Title 32, Part 723.

You should exhaust other administrative remedies before appealing to your service's board. For example, you should first submit a performance report appeal to the appropriate appeal agency before appealing to your service's military records correction board.. An appeal requesting upgrade of discharge should normally be submitted to the service's Discharge Review Board under Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 1332.28, Discharge Review Board (DRB) Procedures and Standards. The board will return your application if you have not first sought relief through the appropriate administrative process. You should submit your request within 3 years after you discover, or reasonably could have discovered, the error or injustice. The boards review the merits of untimely applications. If found to be meritorious, the timeliness is waived in the interest of justice. You should not assume, however, that a waiver will be granted.

The Board will correct your military records only if you can prove that you are the victim of error or injustice. You do this by providing evidence, such as signed statements from you and other witnesses or copies of records that support your case. It is not enough to provide the names of witnesses. The Board will not contact your witnesses to obtain statements. You should contact your witnesses to get their signed statements with your request.

Your own statement is important. Begin in item 9 of the DD Form 149 and continue in item 17, if necessary. You may also put your statement on plain paper and attach it to the form. Limit your statement to not more than 25 pages. Explain what happened and why it is an error or injustice in simple, direct terms.

Normally, the best evidence is statements from persons who have direct knowledge or involvement. For example, statements from persons in your rating chain if you are contesting a performance report. Or a statement from the person who counseled you if you are alleging miscounseling.

Character references from community leaders and others who know you are helpful if you are requesting clemency based on post-service activities and accomplishments. This is only a general rule, however. You must decide what evidence will best support your case.

It may take you some time to gather statements and records to support your request. You may wish to delay submission of your application until information gathering is complete. You should, however, submit your request within the 3-year time limit.

Getting Help

With few exceptions, all personnel records generated by the military may be corrected by the Board. The Board cannot, however, change the verdict of a courts-martial imposed after May 4, 1950. In these cases, the Board’s authority is limited to changing the sentence received on the basis of clemency. The Board will mail you a copy of the applicable service regulation at your request.

Most applicants represent themselves. If your request is complex, you may want someone to represent you:

* Many veteran service organizations have staff members who will represent you in applying to the Board. You may obtain a list of these organizations by writing to the Board (see addresses on reverse side of DD Form 149)
* You may also hire a lawyer to represent you at your own expense
* You should name your representative on DD Form 149, item 7. The Executive Director of the Board must approve any representative other than a veteran service organization staff member or a lawyer
* If you name a representative, the Board will normally deal with your representative rather than directly with you

Advice and guidance are available from many sources. Military Personnel specialists can advise you on personnel issues. Veteran service organizations will advise you even though you decide to represent yourself. You may discuss your case with an Board staff member, or you may write to the Board, and a staff member will respond to your questions

You may request a personal appearance before the Board by checking the appropriate box on DD Form 149, item 6. The Board will decide whether a personal appearance is necessary to decide your case. Travel expenses are your responsibility. The Board grants very few personal appearances, so you should try to fully present your case in writing. If your request for a personal appearance is granted, the Board will provide you with the necessary details.

After your application is received, one or more offices within your military service (JAG, hospital, personnel, etc.) will prepare an advisory opinion on your case. The advisory opinion will be sent to the Board with your case file. If the advisory opinion recommends denial of your request, the Board will send it to you for comment:

Remember that the advisory opinion is only a recommendation. The Board will make the decision on your case

The Board will ask for your comments on the advisory opinion within 30 days. You may request an additional 30 days if you need it. Reasonable requests are normally granted

It may be unnecessary for you to comment on the advisory opinion. If you have nothing further to say, don’t bother to respond. Failure to comment on an advisory opinion does not mean you agree. Nor will it prevent a full and fair consideration of your application.

Each Service Secretary appoints high-level civilian employees who work for the military service concerned to serve on the Board. Service is normally an additional duty for those appointed. Usually about 47 people serve on the Board.

Members are randomly assigned to three-member panels for consideration of cases. Cases are randomly assigned to panels.

Board staff members research issues and provide technical advice to the panel members. They do not take sides or recommend a decision to the panel.

Panel members receive a copy of the case for study before they meet. They normally discuss your case in closed session before voting. Their decision is based on the evidence in the case file.

The majority rules, but a dissenting member may submit a minority opinion for consideration by the Service Secretary or his/her designee.

Following the vote on your case, the panel chairperson signs a record of proceedings. The record of proceedings will explain the reasons for the decision on your case.

The Service Secretary concerned has the final authority to accept or reject a recommendation of the Board. In most cases, it is accepted.

When the Board completes your case, the decision is mailed to you. If relief is granted, your records will be corrected and finance personnel will review your case to see if you are due any monetary benefits.

The Board is the highest level of administrative appeal and provides the final military decision. If the Board denies your case, your next step is to request reconsideration or file a suit in the court system.

You may request reconsideration of the decision on your case. The Board will reconsider your case only if you provide newly discovered relevant evidence that was not reasonably available when you filed your original application. The evidence may pertain to the timeliness of your application or to its merits.

You should submit your request for reconsideration within a reasonable time after you discover the new evidence.

Re-argument of the same evidence will not get your case reconsidered.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"

[Roentgenman]

Wow, thank you so much. Is there a set time limit or does it depend on the case ands it's evidence? Just trying to get an idea on time frame. Awesome info!

[RealAmerican]

You should submit your request within 3 years after you discover, or reasonably could have discovered, the error or injustice. The boards review the merits of untimely applications. If found to be meritorious, the timeliness is waived in the interest of justice. You should not assume, however, that a waiver will be granted.

"True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else." -- Clarence Darrow

[Roentgenman]

I recieved a letter from the board stating that they had received my application and have assigned me a case number. They received it March 18th but the letter was dated April 24 any idea what the month was used for? I understand it can take a while but it doesnt get my hopes up when it takes a whole month to acknowledge that they received it. I check daily the BCMR website to see if they have updated it but they seem to be behind on that as well. So I guess my question is this, does being assigned a case number mean I have made it past the advisory part and they forwarded it to the board or is this just the very begining?

[cyberspook]

Originally Posted by Roentgenman

I recieved a letter from the board stating that they had received my application and have assigned me a case number. They received it March 18th but the letter was dated April 24 any idea what the month was used for? I understand it can take a while but it doesnt get my hopes up when it takes a whole month to acknowledge that they received it. I check daily the BCMR website to see if they have updated it but they seem to be behind on that as well. So I guess my question is this, does being assigned a case number mean I have made it past the advisory part and they forwarded it to the board or is this just the very begining?

This is the wheels of government moving. I would plan on waiting a good 6 months.