Opinion ID: 405227
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Selection Process

Text: 2 In 1973, there was an opening at McChord Air Force Base in Washington for a position as an Air Force Reserve Technician (ART) Flight Instructor (Fixed Wing). Two candidates were considered for the position, Bunch and Charles Casson. Their records were reviewed and each was interviewed. After this preliminary process, Bunch was recommended as the primary nominee and Casson was selected as the alternate nominee. In keeping with the ART selection procedures, these recommendations were submitted to the Headquarters Air Force Reserve (AFRES) at Warner Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia. 3 At AFRES, the military records, including Officer Evaluation Reports (OER's), and the educational backgrounds of both candidates were reviewed by the Operations Division and by the Civilian Personnel Division. The Operations Division concurred in the McChord Selection of Bunch. The Civilian Personnel Division, however, concluded that Casson was the superior candidate. This determination was made by Lee Lingelbach, Director of Civilian Personnel, and Pierce Duane Turner, his assistant. AFRES accepted the Civilian Personnel Division's recommendation of Casson over Bunch. Bunch was notified of this decision by letter in April, 1973. The letter, drafted by Turner and signed by Lingelbach stated: 4 1. The attached nomination of Mr. Howard E. Bunch has been thoroughly reviewed by appropriate members of the Headquarters AFRES staff and his qualifications and retainability compared with those of your alternate nomination, Mr. Charles B. Casson. 5 2. Mr. Bunch's application reflects that he meets the qualification requirements for the position of Flight Instructor (Fixed Wing), GS-2181-13, however, there are other factors which must be considered in the selection process. Selection of the most highly qualified individuals to occupy key officer level positions is paramount to the effective operation of Air Force Reserve units. Merit factors which must influence the selection of a nominee must not only include current qualifications in the unit aircraft but also age of the individual, education level, overall retainability in the ART Program, 1 as well as the overall flying time and the experience background of the individual. Applicants considered should be thoroughly evaluated toward locating a person with the necessary whole man qualifications to meet mission requirements. Mr. Bunch is approaching 45 years of age, has not completed requirements for a college degree and he would become status quo in approximately eight years. He would not be eligible for Civil Service retirement at the time he must retire from the Air Force Reserve. 6 3. Since Mr. Bunch does not meet the whole man qualification criteria for entry of the AFRES Program, your alternate, Mr. Charles B. Casson has been considered. Mr. Casson is, for all practical purposes, as equally qualified as Mr. Bunch. He is 35 years of age, has a college degree and will not become status quo until 1987. 7 Plaintiff's Exhibit 8. 8 On April 12, 1974, Bunch filed suit in the district court alleging a violation of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 633(a) (ADEA). Bunch contended that failure to select him for the position was on the basis of age and retainability which constituted age discrimination in violation of ADEA. See Brief for Appellant at 23. The suit was dismissed by the district court for lack of jurisdiction. On appeal we reversed concluding that jurisdiction existed since the suit was pending at the time the statute became effective. Bunch v. United States, 548 F.2d 336, 340 (9th Cir. 1977).