RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBERS:  02-02427
		INDEX CODE 128.05 112.07
	 	COUNSEL:  None

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her nine-month extension executed on 11 Jan 02 be voided (per Exhibit E) and she be allowed to reenlist for six years so she may qualify for a Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The events of 9/11 generated an increased need for force protection and she played an integral part in the new concerns over installation security. She was pulled from her present position and, in support of Phoenix Raven, required to perform almost non-stop temporary duty (TDY) in the US and overseas.  Also, towards the end of 2001, her mother died unexpectedly and she had to take emergency leave. In four months, she was absent just under 100 days out of 120. Between her job going full throttle and the death of her mother, she requested an extension to keep from being caught off guard if Stop Loss was lifted while she was deployed, to cover her family, and to give herself time to think things through.  When she came back from emergency leave, she was back on the road again up until her 10-year reenlistment anniversary of 21 May 02. She had already departed for a 65-day deployment when the 305th AMW/CAA notice, dated 6 Feb 02, advised her of her selection for reenlistment and the mandatory career assistance briefing. Her supervisor was deployed just as much as she was.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 21 May 92 for a period of four years, giving her a date of separation (DOS) of 20 May 96.  In order to qualify for a CONUS reassignment, she extended this enlistment for 23 months on 12 Oct 94, giving her a new DOS of 20 Apr 98.

During the period in question, the applicant was assigned to the 305th Security Forces Squadron at McGuire AFB, NJ.

She reenlisted on 24 Dec 96 for five years, giving her a DOS of 23 Dec 01.  According to an AF Form 1411 in her records, the applicant at some time apparently extended this enlistment for three months, which gave her a new DOS of 23 Mar 02.  

In Jan 02, she requested a Best Interest of the Air Force Extension, which is a voluntary extension, for a period of nine months.  This second extension to her 24 Dec 96 reenlistment was approved on 11 Jan 02.  The two extensions total 12 months, giving her a DOS of 23 Dec 02.

According to vouchers and orders submitted by the applicant, she was TDY for the following periods:  14 - 22 Sep 01, 1 Oct – 5 Nov 01, 1 – 4 Dec 01, 21 – 23 Jan 02; 30 Jan – 5 Apr 02, 11 – 23 May 02.

A memo to the applicant from the 305th AMW/CAA, dated 6 Feb 02, advised her that she had been selected for reenlistment and was scheduled for a mandatory Right Choice career assistance briefing.  The informational briefing would provide facts regarding the applicant’s options and was held each Wednesday at 1500 hours.  She was advised to attend a briefing within the next month and, if she was unable to make a scheduled appointment during the next month due to valid mission requirements, she must contact the career advisor to reschedule.  On 6 Feb 02, the applicant was TDY at Kadena AB, Japan.

The applicant reached her 10-year anniversary on 20 May 02.  HQ AFPC/DPPAER informally advised the AFBCMR Staff that in order for the applicant to qualify for a Zone B, Multiple of 1 SRB, she would have to reenlist no later than 19 May 02.  On that date, she would have seven months of obligated service.  If both extensions were voided, the applicant would revert back to her original DOS of 23 Dec 01 and, at that time, the SRB was not in effect.

On 6 Dec 02, the applicant reenlisted for a period of four years, giving her a new DOS of 5 Dec 06.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPAE noted that, though inconvenient, the applicant could have reenlisted at her home station or at any of her deployed locations before reaching her 10-year point of May 02. They understand the applicant was doing more than her fair share of deployments; however, deployments should not override a 
member’s individual responsibility in taking care of her own career. Though busy, members are responsible for their own careers and should be aware when they are eligible for an SRB. Denial is recommended.

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 9 Aug 02 for review and response within 30 days.  Pursuant to an inquiry from the AFBCMR Staff as to how long the applicant would want to enlist should her appeal be granted, the applicant submitted an email on 28 Aug 02.  She indicated she wanted a six-year term and also requested that the nine-month extension be voided as well.  She contends this is time wasted that she may need later.  She was in no state of mind to make a decision when she extended. When she learned there was an SRB, she hurried to her military personnel flight (MPF) to reenlist but was told she had missed her window for an SRB.

A complete copy of applicant’s email 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 to warrant voiding the applicant’s nine-month extension and reenlisting her before her 10-year anniversary so she qualifies for an SRB.  In this regard, we find it very believable that the applicant’s almost constant TDY and her mother’s death just before Christmas left little time and opportunity for her to consider her career options before she passed the SRB window. Based on her extensions, it appears the applicant’s preference was to remain in the Air Force if her family circumstances permitted. She was TDY when the 305th AMW/CAA memo advised her she was selected for reenlistment and scheduled for a career assistance briefing. She requested the nine-month extension in Jan 02 to keep from being caught off guard if Stop Loss was lifted while she was deployed, to protect her family and to give herself time to consider her options. The applicant was required to juggle both the pressures of a demanding job and family obligations under extremely trying circumstances. We do not believe she should be deprived of her bonus merely because she was constantly traveling in service of her country. Further, the nine-month extension should be voided so that her SRB is not unduly reduced by this obligated service. Therefore, we recommend her 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:

	a.  Her extension of her 24 December 1996 enlistment executed on 11 January 2002 for a period of nine (9) months be declared void.

	b.  She was honorably discharged on 19 March 2002, rather than 5 December 2002, and reenlisted in the Regular Air Force on 20 March 2002, rather than 6 December 2002, for a period of six (6) years, with entitlement to a Zone B, Multiple 1, Selective Reenlistment Bonus.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 10 December 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence relating to AFBCMR Docket Number 02-02427 was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 Jul 02, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAE, dated 5 Aug 02.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Aug 02.
   Exhibit E.  Email, Applicant, dated 28 Aug 02.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-02427

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  , be corrected to show that: 

	a.  Her extension of her 24 December 1996 enlistment executed on 11 January 2002 for a period of nine (9) months be, and hereby is, declared void.

	b.  She was honorably discharged on 19 March 2002, rather than 5 December 2002, and reenlisted in the Regular Air Force on 20 March 2002, rather than 6 December 2002, for a period of six (6) years, with entitlement to a Zone B, Multiple 1, Selective Reenlistment Bonus.