RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-01168
		INDEX CODE 135.02
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded Extension Course Institute (ECI) points for completion of Squadron Officer School (SOS) during Retirement Year Ending (RYE) 6 Jan 02.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He enrolled in SOS in Jul 00 while still participating with his reserve unit at Travis AFB CA.  Shortly thereafter his wife was diagnosed with a serious medical condition.  The combination of flying with his civilian occupation and the Reserve proved to be too much at the time, so he applied for reassignment to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).  During his out-processing, he confirmed with the local military personnel flight (MPF) and the wing training office that, since he enrolled prior to out-processing, he could finish his course and receive full credit and points.

After completing the course, he submitted his course completion certificate to the retirement points section at the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC), where he was told that it would be no problem.  He later received a call from ARPC and they informed him that they would not be able to award him point credit because he was assigned to the IRR Non-participating Ready Personnel Section.  He was told to refer to his orders, which should state that he could not earn points while assigned in that status.

He feels that based on his family hardship and the circumstances cited that he should be awarded the retirements points for completion of SOS in 2001.  He is currently pursuing another reserve job to complete his military retirement.

In support of applicant’s appeal, he submitted Special Order RO A-765, SOS Completion Notice and SOS Certificate of Completion.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Based on the applicant’s master personnel records and the personnel data system (PDS), he enlisted in the Delayed Entry/Enlistment Program (DEP) on 31 May 1984.  He enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 7 Jan 85, in the grade of airman basic (AB/E-1).  He was released from active duty and transferred to the Air Force Reserve on 7 Jan 89.

On 4 Mar 93, he was commissioned in the Reserve of the Air Force as a second lieutenant.  His total active federal military service (TAFMS) is 9 years, 6 months and 17 days.  He has 3 years, 9 months and 23 days of total active federal commissioned service (TAFCS).  He was transferred to the Nonobligated Nonparticipating Ready Reserve Personnel Section on 13 Mar 2001.  He completed SOS on 3 Jan 2002.  During retirement/retention year 7 Jan 01 – 6 Jan 02, the applicant was credited with 2 inactive duty training (IDT) points and 15 membership points, for a total of 17 points.  RYE 6 Jan 02 was an unsatisfactory year of Federal service for retirement.  The applicant currently has a total of 16 years of satisfactory federal service towards retirement.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ ARPC/DPP reviewed applicant’s request and recommended disapproval.  Based on their analysis of the case, during his out-processing, the applicant asked about continuing SOS.  He was told to check with personnel in the Wing Training office, who told him to continue taking the course, with the understanding that since he started taking SOS prior to transferring to the Nonobligated Nonparticipating Ready Personnel Section (NNRPS), he could complete the course and receive retirement point credit.  The applicant used the information provided by the Wing training office and continued to take the SOS course to earn points that would ensure he would have a satisfactory federal service year for RYE 6 Jan 02.  The NNRPS assignment allowed him to be available to his family at a crucial time but he is now pursuing another assignment in order to continue his Reserve military career.

Unfortunately, the applicant initially received erroneous information from Wing training prior to completion of SOS and later from ARPC. In accordance with AFM 36-8001, Table 2.3, members assigned to NNRPS are eligible for membership points only.  The applicant has benefited from having completed the course since his records will show that he completed the course should he later become an active member of the Selected Reserve.

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

He says he can’t turn back the clock, but if he had only been given the correct information he would have found a way to earn enough points for a good year.  First, he would have completed SOS prior to departing his base or worked additional days to complete a good year.  Secondly, he would have pursued an individual mobilization augmentee (IMA) or a Category E position sooner.

He served his country during Desert Shield and Storm, and although he wanted to pursue his dream of pilot training, he reenlisted to continue to serve.  He also says the time he had away from his reserve unit allowed him to be there for his family in their time of need and he would not change that for anything.  He is now pursuing an IMA position with the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).

He realizes his mistake, but he put his trust in the people he knew and trusted to give him the correct advice, even though he should have looked up the information for himself.  He clearly remembers asking for the correct information, and they reassured him that under the circumstances, he was doing the right thing.  He doesn’t have any witnesses, and states it would be very difficult to get the parties to admit they misinformed him or did not perform their job correctly.

He has always given 100% into all he does, and has devoted his life to the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve and no matter what, he plans on pursuing his Air Force retirement, but the RYE 6 Jan 02 is very important.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After thoroughly reviewing the available records and the applicant’s submission, it appears the applicant continued to complete the Squadron Officer School (SOS) courses to earn points based on the information provided by the Wing Training office.  Since he had begun taking the SOS courses prior to transferring to the Nonobligated Nonparticipating Reserve Personnel Section (NNRPS), he was told he could complete the courses and receive retirement point credit for Retirement Year Ending (RYE) 6 January 2002.  Upon his release from active duty and transfer to NNRPS, he again contacted the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) who again provided erroneous information (because they did not realize the applicant was assigned to NNRPS) after completion of SOS.  Based on our review of the available evidence, it is clear that the applicant was provided erroneous information from the Wing Training office and ARPC in regards to his point credit upon completion of SOS.  In view of this, we recommend that the records be corrected as indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded fifty-six (56) Extension Course Institute (ECI) points during the Retirement/Retention (R/R) year 7 January 2001 through 6 January 2002, resulting in 73 total and retirement points and a satisfactory year of Federal service.

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The following members of the Board considered this application AFBCMR Docket Number 02-01168 in Executive Session on 11 July 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 3 Apr 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ ARPC/DPP, dated 15 May 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 May 02, w/atchs.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 31 May 02, w/atch.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-01168

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was awarded fifty-six (56) Extension Course Institute (ECI) points during the Retirement/Retention (R/R) year 7 January 2001 through 6 January 2002, resulting in 73 total and retirement points and a satisfactory year of Federal service.