Court Opinion

ID: 4155008
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-03-23 16:03:08.879379+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:58.438492
License: Public Domain

U NITED S TATES AIR F ORCE
             C OURT OF C RIMINAL APPEALS
                         ________________________

                             No. ACM S32394
                         ________________________

                            UNITED STATES
                                Appellee
                                     v.
                       Tyrone R. BROOKS, Jr.
             Senior Airman (E-4), U.S. Air Force, Appellant
                         ________________________

        Appeal from the United States Air Force Trial Judiciary
                         Decided 22 March 2017
                         ________________________

Military Judge: Andrew Kalavanos.
Approved sentence: Bad-conduct discharge, confinement for 2 months,
forfeiture of $1,000.00 pay per month for 2 months, and reduction to
E-1. Sentence adjudged 20 October 2015 by SpCM convened at Joint
Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
For Appellant: Captain Annie W. Morgan, USAF.
For Appellee: Major J. Ronald Steelman III, USAF; Captain Sean J. Sul-
livan, USAF; Gerald R. Bruce, Esquire.
Before MAYBERRY, SPERANZA, and JOHNSON, Appellate Military
Judges.
Judge JOHNSON delivered the opinion of the court, in which Senior
Judge MAYBERRY and Judge SPERANZA joined.
                         ________________________

    This is an unpublished opinion and, as such, does not serve as
    precedent under AFCCA Rule of Practice and Procedure 18.4.
                         ________________________

JOHNSON, Judge:
   A special court-martial composed of a military judge sitting alone found
Appellant guilty in accordance with his pleas of one specification of absence
                       United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

without leave, one specification of dereliction of duty, and one specification of
making a false official statement in violation of Articles 86, 92, and 107, Uni-
form Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. §§ 886, 892, 907. Appellant’s
adjudged and approved sentence consisted of a bad-conduct discharge, confine-
ment for two months, forfeiture of $1,000.00 pay per month for two months,
and reduction to the grade of E-1.
    Before us, Appellant raises three assignments of error: (1) whether Appel-
lant’s guilty plea to absence without leave was improvident because he did not
remain absent from his place of duty throughout the charged time frame; (2)
whether it was improper for the staff judge advocate (SJA) to solicit a victim
statement from Airman First Class (A1C) JR who did not meet the definition
of a victim; and (3) whether a 7-day violation of the 30-day post-trial processing
standard for forwarding the record of trial for appellate review warrants mod-
est relief under United States v. Tardif, 57 M.J. 219 (C.A.A.F. 2002). In addi-
tion, although not raised by the parties, we address an error in the staff judge
advocate’s recommendation (SJAR) to the convening authority regarding Ap-
pellant’s overseas and combat service. 1 Finding no error that warrants relief,
we affirm the findings and sentence.

                                      I. BACKGROUND
    Appellant was assigned to the inpatient squadron within the medical group
located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. In approximately August 2012,
he began performing duties as an Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice
(AMSA) Course Phase II preceptor. Appellant had been trained and was aware
that as a preceptor he was forbidden to engage in unprofessional relation-
ships—to include sexual relations—with AMSA Course students.
    In late October 2014, A1C JR began the AMSA Course as a student. Appel-
lant was assigned to be her preceptor. In November 2014, Appellant began in-
teracting with A1C JR in a personal capacity by text messages and on social
media websites. On 28 November 2014, Appellant picked A1C JR up from her
lodging on base and drove her to his off-base apartment. There they watched a

1   This court specified the following issue for the parties to brief:

          WHAT, IF ANY, REMEDY SHOULD THIS COURT PROVIDE AS A
          RESULT OF THE STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE’S ERRONEOUS AD-
          VICE TO THE CONVENING AUTHORITY IN THE PERSONAL
          DATA SHEET ATTACHED TO THE STAFF JUDGE ADVOCATE’S
          RECOMMENDATION THAT APPELLANT HAD NO OVERSEAS OR
          COMBAT SERVICE?

                                               2
                  United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

movie, ate Chinese food, and drank alcohol before engaging in sexual inter-
course. In the days that followed, Appellant called A1C JR approximately five
times on her personal phone.
    On 20 January 2015, Appellant was interviewed by agents of the Air Force
Office of Special Investigations. After being properly advised of his Article 31,
UCMJ, rights Appellant denied ever having sex with A1C JR.
    Following this interview, Appellant’s superiors at the inpatient squadron
sent him to the medical support squadron located in a different building to
perform administrative duties, with instructions to report back when the med-
ical support squadron released him. On 30 January 2015, a Friday, Appellant
was released from his temporary assignment at the medical support squadron
and told to report back to the inpatient squadron effective the following Mon-
day, 2 February 2015. Appellant failed to do so. Between 2 February 2015 and
8 May 2015, Appellant for the most part did not report for duty at all at either
unit, leaving his superiors at the inpatient squadron with the mistaken im-
pression he was still performing his temporary assignment. Appellant fostered
that impression in early March 2015 when his supervisor sent him a text mes-
sage asking how everything was going at the medical supply squadron, and
Appellant responded that everything was going well.
    On several occasions between 2 February 2015 and 8 May 2015, Appellant
did go to the inpatient squadron for short periods when his supervisors re-
quested that he attend brief training sessions or mandatory unit events. Ap-
pellant estimated these brief appearances at his unit occurred less than a
dozen times. On those occasions, Appellant did not reveal to his superiors that
he had not been regularly reporting for duty anywhere. Eventually his superi-
ors learned from the medical supply squadron that Appellant had not per-
formed duties there since 30 January 2015. When confronted, Appellant ad-
mitted this was so.

                                II. DISCUSSION
A. Providency of Appellant’s Guilty Plea
    A military judge’s decision to accept a guilty plea is reviewed for an abuse
of discretion. United States v. Blouin, 74 M.J. 247, 251 (C.A.A.F. 2015). “The
test for an abuse of discretion in accepting a guilty plea is whether the record
shows a substantial basis in law or fact for questioning the plea.” United States
v. Moon, 73 M.J. 382, 386 (C.A.A.F. 2014). “If an accused sets up matter incon-
sistent with the plea at any time during the proceeding, the military judge
must either resolve the apparent inconsistency or reject the plea.” Id. (quoting
United States v. Hines, 73 M.J. 119, 124 (C.A.A.F. 2014) (internal quotation

                                       3
                   United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

marks omitted)). However, the conflict must be substantial, and the mere pos-
sibility of a conflict is not sufficient to reject a guilty plea on appeal. Moon, 73
M.J. at 386.
     As charged in this case, the elements of the offense of absence without leave
(AWOL) under Article 86, UCMJ, required the military judge to find: (1) on or
about 2 February 2015, Appellant remained absent from his place of duty at
which he was required to be, that is, the 633d Medical Group; (2) the absence
was without proper authority from someone who could give Appellant leave;
and (3) Appellant remained absent until on or about 8 May 2015. 10 U.S.C. §
886; see Department of the Army Pamphlet 27-9, Military Judges’ Benchbook,
¶ 3-10-2. An unauthorized absence in violation of Article 86, UCMJ, may be
voluntarily terminated by the absentee if the following conditions are met: (1)
the absentee presents himself to competent military authority with the inten-
tion of returning to military duty; and (2) either (a) the absentee properly iden-
tifies himself and discloses his status as an absentee, or (b) the absentee, hav-
ing presented himself, fails to disclose his status as an absentee but the com-
petent military authority is either already aware of his absentee status or, hav-
ing a duty to inquire, could have discovered that status by reasonable diligence;
and (3) the military authority, with full knowledge of the individual’s absentee
status, either (a) exercises control over him, or (b) declines or delays to exercise
control over him. United States v. Gudaitis, 18 M.J. 816, 818 (A.F.C.M.R.
1984); see also United States v. Raymo, 1 M.J. 31, 32 (C.M.A. 1975); United
States v. Moyer, 11 M.J. 568, 569–70 (A.F.C.M.R. 1981); United States v. Rog-
ers, 59 M.J. 584, 587 (Army Ct. Crim. App. 2003); United States v. Coglin, 10
M.J. 670, 672 (A.C.M.R. 1981).
    Appellant contends his plea of guilty to AWOL from 2 February 2015 until
8 May 2015 was improvident because—as he told the military judge and as the
stipulation of fact recites—he returned to his squadron on a number of occa-
sions during that period in order to attend brief training sessions and manda-
tory unit events. In Appellant’s view, this information before the military judge
was inconsistent with his plea of guilty to having been absent for the entire
charged period, creating a substantial basis in law and fact to question the
plea. See Moon, 73 M.J. at 386. With regard to the three-part test for voluntary
termination of an unauthorized absence articulated in Gudaitis, Appellant’s
argument appears to be: (1) by appearing at unit training and other events he
presented himself with the intention of returning to duty; (2) although he did
not identify himself as an absentee, his superiors would have discovered his
absentee status by the exercise of reasonable diligence; and (3) his superiors
either exercised or declined to exercise control over him during these appear-
ances. 18 M.J. at 818. Therefore, Appellant argues his conviction for AWOL
must be set aside and his sentence reassessed.

                                         4
                   United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

    We do not find a substantial conflict between Appellant’s guilty plea and
the matters presented to the military judge. First, we assume arguendo with-
out deciding that Appellant’s multiple visits to his squadron to attend “various
de minimis trainings and attend short mandatory events” at his superiors’ di-
rection amounted to presenting himself to military authority with an intention
of returning to military duty. We acknowledge there is a substantial argument
to be made to the contrary. Appellant explained to the military judge:
       I made a decision to absent myself from work. I don’t recall the
       exact date, but I stopped going to work at the beginning of Feb-
       ruary. I would go in whenever someone texted or called me that
       they needed something from me, but other than that, I did not
       go. I returned to work full time at the beginning of May once my
       unit had realized I was not coming in on a regular basis.
    Thus Appellant’s general intention was not to return to duty, but to remain
away. Yet in another sense, Appellant did return to military duty. Appellant
appeared at his unit at the direction of his superiors for the official purposes of
performing training and attending unit events. Thus, at least for the duration
of these events, Appellant had arguably decided to return to military control,
albeit temporarily. Appellant’s case is thus unlike Rogers, cited by the Govern-
ment, and Coglin, where the Army Court of Criminal Appeals (ACCA) affirmed
the appellants’ convictions for AWOL. In those cases, the ACCA found no vol-
untary termination of AWOL where “the return involves a casual presence for
personal reasons.” Rogers, 59 M.J. at 586; see Coglin, 10 M.J. at 671–73 (ac-
cused’s presence on installation for private purpose of obtaining pay and in-
quiring about compassionate reassignment was not presentation with intent
to terminate absence).
    However, we need not decide this question because the second condition for
voluntary termination was not met. Appellant did not disclose his absentee
status, and his superiors would not necessarily have discovered his absentee
status during his attendance at these brief events through the exercise of rea-
sonable diligence. See Gudaitis, 18 M.J. at 818. Appellant had been in-
structed—by supervisors at both squadrons—to report back to his unit when
his temporary administrative duties at the medical support squadron had con-
cluded. However, the medical supply squadron evidently did not inform the
inpatient squadron that Appellant had been released. Therefore, Appellant
was not “missing” so far as his superiors knew. Appellant’s response to his su-
pervisor’s text inquiry in March fostered the impression his duties at the med-
ical supply squadron were continuing. Similarly, Appellant’s attendance at
specific events at the inpatient squadron when requested created the impres-
sion that nothing was amiss. Although the three-month gap between Appellant
commencing his absence and his superiors discovering the fact is disconcerting,

                                        5
                   United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

that failure of discovery cannot be paired with the specific occasions when Ap-
pellant “presented” himself at his unit on request for particular events.
    Appellant’s case is therefore unlike the situation in Gudaitis, where this
court found—under the particular facts of that case—the military authorities
should have detected the appellant’s AWOL status even though he did not
identify himself as AWOL. 18 M.J. at 819. There, the appellant, who was sta-
tioned at Dyess Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, unexpectedly presented himself
at the security police desk at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, claiming that his
leave was due to expire the following day. 2 Id. at 817. Thus, the security forces
desk sergeant at Hanscom AFB and squadron operations officer at Dyess AFB
who dealt with the appellant were faced with an irregular situation that called
for some measure of investigation. In Appellant’s case, by contrast, his brief
appearances created the appearance of normalcy.
    Finally, to the extent Appellant’s superiors exercised “control” over him
during these brief events, they did not do so with full knowledge of his absentee
status, because they were not in fact aware of his absentee status. As discussed
above, their failure to ascertain his absentee status during these specific occa-
sions was not due to a failure of reasonable diligence. Once Appellant’s super-
visors learned of his unauthorized absence, they promptly confronted him and
reasserted control. Thus Appellant fails to satisfy the third prong of the test.
   We find the record did not present the military judge with information sub-
stantially in conflict with Appellant’s plea. Indeed, a fair reading of the record
indicates Appellant’s brief appearances at the unit, far from being intended to
terminate his unauthorized absence, were intended to delay its discovery, and
had just that effect. Because there was no substantial basis in law or fact to
question Appellant’s plea to absence without leave, the military judge did not
abuse his discretion in accepting Appellant’s plea.
B. Staff Judge Advocate Solicitation of Victim Impact Statement
    After trial, the SJA provided a memorandum to A1C JR informing her of
the opportunity to present a written statement to the convening authority for
his consideration prior to taking action on the results of Appellant’s court-mar-
tial. A1C JR indorsed the memo, acknowledging her understanding and indi-
cating she did not intend to provide such a statement. The SJA also indorsed
the memo, confirming A1C JR did not, in fact, provide a statement. Appellant
contends this solicitation was improper because A1C JR was not a “victim,”
although he concedes he “struggles to articulate” any prejudice in light of the
fact A1C JR did not actually provide a statement.

2 In fact, he had already been AWOL for 29 days at that point. United States v. Gudai-
tis, 18 M.J. 816, 817 (A.F.C.M.R. 1984).

                                          6
                  United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

   Proper completion of post-trial processing is a question of law that we re-
view de novo. United States v. Sheffield, 60 M.J. 591, 593 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App.
2004). If we find error, Appellant must nevertheless make some “colorable
showing of possible prejudice” to his opportunity to secure clemency from the
convening authority in order to secure relief. United States v. LeBlanc, 74 M.J.
650, 660 (C.A.A.F. 2015) (quoting United States v. Scalo, 60 M.J. 435, 437
(C.A.A.F. 2005)) (internal quotation marks omitted).
    Both Article 6b, UCMJ, detailing the rights of crime victims, and Article
60, UCMJ, governing action by the convening authority, define a “victim” as a
person “who has suffered direct physical, emotional, or pecuniary harm as a
result of the commission of an offense” under the UCMJ. 10 U.S.C. §§ 806b(b),
860(d)(5). Rule for Courts-Martial (R.C.M.) 1105A(b) gives the same definition.
Article 60(d)(1), UCMJ, requires that a victim of an offense for which an ac-
cused has been found guilty and sentenced “shall be provided an opportunity
to submit matters for consideration by the convening authority” before the con-
vening authority takes action on the court-martial. 10 U.S.C. § 860(d)(1). Sim-
ilarly, R.C.M. 1105A(a) provides that a victim “shall have the right to submit
a written statement to the convening authority after the sentence is adjudged,”
and R.C.M. 1107(b)(3)(A)(iv) specifically requires the convening authority to
consider such a statement before taking action.
    Appellant suggests that because A1C JR, as a trainee, also had a duty not
to engage in an unprofessional relationship with her instructor, Appellant, and
because no nonconsensual act was charged, A1C JR is not a “victim” for pur-
poses of the convening authority’s action. We disagree. The UCMJ and Rules
for Courts-Martial define “victim” broadly, and it is entirely foreseeable that
A1C JR might have suffered direct emotional or pecuniary harm as a result of
Appellant’s dereliction of duty. Appellant was A1C JR’s superior both by virtue
of his rank and his position as her instructor. The record indicates he initiated
and pursued the relationship with A1C JR. Regardless of any independent
duty on A1C JR’s part to avoid such a relationship, Appellant’s actions could
foreseeably have caused emotional or pecuniary harm to A1C JR through dam-
age to her Air Force career or otherwise. Far from error, we perceive due dili-
gence on the part of the SJA to ensure a potential victim’s rights under the law
were upheld.
    Furthermore, R.C.M. 1106(d)(5) permits the SJA to include with the SJAR
“any additional matters deemed appropriate by the [SJA] or legal officer.” This
includes matters from outside the record of trial, provided that any such new
matter that is adverse to the accused is provided to the Defense with an oppor-
tunity to respond. See R.C.M. 1107(b)(3)(B)(iii). Therefore, even if A1C JR had
not met the definition of a “victim,” the SJA could still have properly solicited

                                       7
                   United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

and provided her statement to the convening authority so long as Appellant
was given notice and an opportunity to respond.
   Finally, assuming arguendo the SJA’s solicitation was error, we cannot dis-
cern any colorable showing of possible prejudice given that A1C JR did not
provide a statement. For each of these reasons, Appellant’s assignment of error
warrants no relief.
C. Post-Trial Processing Delay
    Appellant’s court-martial concluded on 19 January 2016 at Joint-Base
Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The convening authority, located on the same instal-
lation, took action 57 days later on 16 March 2016. However, the record of trial
(ROT) was not docketed with this court until 22 April 2016, 37 days after ac-
tion. In United States v. Moreno, our superior court established a presumption
of unreasonable post-trial delay when the convening authority does not take
action within 120 days of trial, where a record of trial is not docketed with this
court within 30 days of the convening authority’s action, and where this court
does not render a decision within 18 months of the case being docketed. 63 M.J.
129, 142 (C.A.A.F. 2006). Appellant contends we should exercise our authority
under Article 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. § 866(c), to grant modest relief by not
approving his full reduction to E-1, because the 37 days that elapsed between
the convening authority’s action and docketing with this court exceeded the
Moreno standard. See Tardif, 57 M.J. at 224.
    There are two steps to our analysis of whether Appellant is entitled to relief
for post-trial delay. First, we determine whether the delay in this case amounts
to a denial of Appellant’s due process right to speedy post-trial review and ap-
peal. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135. Next, even if we find no due process violation, we
also consider whether this court should exercise its power under Article 66(c)
to grant relief for excessive post-trial delay. Tardif, 57 M.J. at 224.
    The Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces has identified four factors to
consider in determining whether post-trial delay amounts to a violation of due
process rights: (1) the length of the delay; (2) the reasons for the delay; (3) the
appellant’s assertion of his right to a timely review; and (4) prejudice to the
appellant. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 135 (citing United States v. Jones, 61 M.J. 80, 83
(C.A.A.F. 2005), United States v. Toohey, 60 M.J. 100, 102 (C.A.A.F. 2004)). “No
single factor is required for finding a due process violation and the absence of
a given factor will not prevent such a finding.” Id. at 135 (citing Barker v.
Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 533 (1972)). However, where an appellant has not shown
prejudice from the delay, there is no due process violation unless the delay is
so egregious as to “adversely affect the public’s perception of the fairness and
integrity of the military justice system.” United States v. Toohey, 63 M.J. 353,
362 (C.A.A.F. 2006).

                                        8
                     United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

    As described above, the lapse of time between the convening authority’s
action and the docketing of his case with this court exceeded the Moreno stand-
ard by seven days, establishing a facially unreasonable delay. See Moreno, 63
M.J. at 142. Therefore, the next question we consider is whether Appellant has
been prejudiced by the delay. See Toohey, 63 M.J. at 362. Appellant does not
identify any specific “particularized anxiety or concern” that is distinguishable
from the normal anxiety experienced by appellants awaiting an appellate de-
cision, and we find none. Moreno, 63 M.J. at 142. Balancing the remaining fac-
tors, although the Government’s explanation for the delay is unsatisfactory,
the relatively limited period in excess of the Moreno standard, coupled with the
speed with which the trial-to-action phase was completed, convinces us the de-
lay was not so egregious as to undermine the appearance of fairness and integ-
rity within the military justice system. Therefore, we find no due process vio-
lation.
    Next we consider whether Article 66(c) relief pursuant to Tardif is appro-
priate. 57 M.J. at 224. We are guided by factors enumerated in United States
v. Gay, 74 M.J. 736, 744 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2015), aff’d, 75 M.J. 264 (C.A.A.F.
2016), with no single factor being dispositive. 3 We are mindful of our superior
court’s admonition that “delay in the administrative handling and forwarding
of the record of trial and related documents to an appellate court is the least
defensible of all [post-trial delays] and worthy of the least patience.” United
States v. Dunbar, 31 M.J. 70, 73 (C.M.A. 1990) (internal hyphens omitted).
    While, as mentioned, the action-to-docketing time here exceeded the
Moreno standard by seven days, only 57 days elapsed between the conclusion
of Appellant’s trial and the convening authority’s action, compared to Moreno’s
standard of 120 days for a presumptively unreasonable delay. Although
Moreno specifically established distinct standards for trial-to-action and ac-
tion-to-docketing, and although efficiency in one phase of the process does not

3 These factors include: (1) How long the delay exceeded the standards set forth in
Moreno; (2) What reasons, if any, the Government set forth for the delay, and whether
there is any evidence of bad faith or gross indifference to the overall post-trial pro-
cessing of this case; (3) Keeping in mind that our goal under Tardif is not to analyze
for prejudice, whether there is nonetheless some evidence of harm (either to the appel-
lant or institutionally) caused by the delay; (4) Whether the delay has lessened the
disciplinary effect of any particular aspect of the sentence, and is relief consistent with
the dual goals of justice and good order and discipline; (5) Whether there is any evi-
dence of institutional neglect concerning timely post-trial processing, either across the
service or at a particular installation; and (6) Given the passage of time, whether this
court can provide meaningful relief in this particular situation.

                                            9
                    United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

necessarily excuse neglect in another phase, on the whole the processing of
Appellant’s case has not been subjected to excessive post-trial delay.
    We must balance this absence of severe delay against the absence of any
valid explanation for the delay. The Government has provided an affidavit
from the noncommissioned officer responsible for post-trial processing of
courts-martial at the installation. 4 He states that, due to turnover and limited
manning in the military justice section, he “lost oversight” of the processing of
Appellant’s ROT. As a result, the error was not noted until 12 April 2016, and
the ROT was shipped the following day for overnight delivery to the Military
Justice Division (JAJM) of the Air Force Legal Operations Agency, located at
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, for docketing with this court. The Government
cannot explain why JAJM did not receive the ROT until 21 April 2016. In its
brief, the Government claims these circumstances weigh in its favor. We can-
not agree.
     Nevertheless, considering the remaining Gay factors we conclude no ex-
traordinary exercise of our Article 66(c) authority is warranted here. We dis-
cern no particular harm to Appellant from the delay. The delay has not less-
ened the disciplinary effect of Appellant’s sentence. The delay has not ad-
versely affected this court’s ability to review Appellant’s case or grant him re-
lief, if warranted. Taken as a whole, the circumstances do not move us to re-
duce an otherwise appropriate sentence adjudged by the military judge and
approved by the convening authority.
D. SJAR Error
    The personal data sheet (PDS) the Government introduced at trial recited
that Appellant had no overseas or combat service, although it did note he had
earned the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Air Force Ex-
peditionary Service Ribbon. The Defense made no objection. However, the mil-
itary judge was also presented with Appellant’s performance reports and sev-
eral defense exhibits which, read together, indicate Appellant was deployed to
Qatar for six months in 2012 and 2013.
    The SJA attached the same PDS to the SJAR served upon trial defense
counsel and provided to the convening authority prior to action. Again, the De-
fense alleged no error in the SJAR or the PDS attached to it. Unlike at trial,
neither the Government nor the Defense submitted any performance reports,
statements, or character letters that described Appellant’s deployment to Qa-
tar. Appellant now asserts the omission of Appellant’s deployed service from

4 So the individual describes himself. However, it is hardly necessary to state that no
one paralegal bears entire responsibility for ensuring the efficient post-trial admin-
istration of a court-martial.

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                   United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

the PDS was plain error and requests a new post-trial process. The Govern-
ment concedes the PDS was erroneous but contends there is no possibility Ap-
pellant was prejudiced by the error.
    Proper completion of post-trial processing is a question of law this court
reviews de novo. Sheffield, 60 M.J. at 593. Failure to timely comment on mat-
ters in the SJAR, or matters attached to the recommendation, forfeits any later
claim of error in the absence of plain error. LeBlanc, 74 M.J. at 660 (citing
R.C.M. 1106(f); Scalo, 60 M.J. at 436). To prevail under a plain error analysis,
an appellant must show (1) there was an error; (2) the error was plain and
obvious; and (3) the error materially prejudiced a substantial right. LeBlanc,
74 M.J. at 660 (citing Scalo, 60 M.J. at 436 (citation omitted)). The threshold
for establishing prejudice from errors impacting an appellant’s request for
clemency from the convening authority is low, even in the context of plain error
analysis, but there must be “some colorable showing of possible prejudice.” Id.
(citing Scalo, 60 M.J. at 437).
   We find the PDS and, by extension, the SJAR erroneously stated Appellant
had no overseas or combat service. Moreover, we find the error plain and obvi-
ous. A modicum of attention to detail would have identified the error, given
that Appellant’s performance reports referred to his deployed service, and the
decorations recorded on the PDS itself clearly implied overseas service in sup-
port of deployed operations.
    However, we do not find a colorable showing of possible prejudice. First,
although the PDS omits Appellant’s deployment to Qatar, it does include the
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Air Force Expeditionary
Service Ribbon that he was awarded for his deployed service. Second, no infor-
mation available regarding Appellant’s overseas service suggests it was so ex-
emplary or noteworthy that it was likely to sway the convening authority’s de-
cision. Indeed, beyond a vague reference to “earning deployment training while
visiting different parts of the world [and] teaming up with different . . . foreign
militaries” in Appellant’s memorandum to the convening authority, the clem-
ency submission did not refer to his deployment at all. Third, the focus of Ap-
pellant’s clemency request was his desire to be relieved of the bad-conduct dis-
charge; however, as his counsel acknowledged and as the SJAR advised, the
convening authority had no authority to alter the bad-conduct discharge. See
10 U.S.C. § 860(c)(4)(A). Finally, the pretrial agreement authorized the con-
vening authority to approve a sentence to, inter alia, seven months of confine-
ment with a bad-conduct discharge. Given that Appellant’s sentence included
only two months of confinement with a bad-conduct discharge, the convening
authority was unlikely to find the sentence oppressive or deem clemency ap-
propriate. Considering these circumstances together, we find no colorable
showing the PDS error may have prejudiced the result of Appellant’s clemency

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                  United States v. Brooks, No. ACM S32394

request, and therefore we find no plain error that warrants relief. See United
States v. Parker, 73 M.J. 914, 920–21 (A.F. Ct. Crim. App. 2014) (finding no
material prejudice and declining to grant relief based on a similar omission in
the appellant’s PDS).

                               III. CONCLUSION
    The approved findings and sentence are correct in law and fact, and no er-
ror materially prejudicial to the substantial rights of Appellant occurred. Arti-
cles 59(a) and 66(c), UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. §§ 859(a), 866(c). Accordingly, the find-
ings and sentence are AFFIRMED.

                 FOR THE COURT

                 KURT J. BRUBAKER
                 Clerk of the Court

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