RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-00579
		INDEX CODE:  128.05

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive payment of his Initial Enlistment Bonus (IEB) in the amount of $7,000.00.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His enlistment contract, AF Form 3008, ANNEX B to DD Form 4, indicates he will be authorized payment of an IEB in the amount of $7,000.00 payable not earlier than one month after arrival of his first permanent duty station.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 8 April 2003 the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force in the grade of senior airman, effective and with a date of rank of 2 October 2002 for a period of four years.

The applicant signed an AF Form 3006, Enlistment Agreement - Prior Service/Active USAFR/ANG-United States Air Force, on 8 April 2003.

The applicant’s Air Force Specialty Code is 2A332 - F-16 Avionics Systems.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPAE recommended denial.  They indicated the applicant entered active duty under the Prior Service Program.  He was inadvertently given an IEB in the amount of $7,000.00 for a four-year enlistment.  The IEB is for Non Prior Service (NPS) applicants only.  This applicant was not authorized to receive this bonus and furthermore it was a bonus that was authorized with a six-year enlistment only.  The applicant filed a Case Management Systems (CMS) with his local Military Personnel Flight (MPF).  The case was rejected initially due to his ineligibility, but he was then given the option to take a six-year enlistment and be awarded the bonus.  He refused the six-year enlistment and the case was closed.  He had an opportunity to receive the bonus he felt he was entitled to.  He chose not to accept a six-year option and the result was he received no bonus.  His job of a F-16 Avionics System Apprentice was only authorized a bonus in the NPS program only.  It is clear he had the opportunity to get the bonus and he chose not to meet the prerequisites required to be eligible.

The evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 14 May 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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 an error or injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and the Board finds that the Air Force is in error.  The applicant was inadvertently given an IEB of $7,000.00 for a four-year enlistment.  The IEB was for NPS applicants and for members with a six-year enlistment.  The applicant’s AFSC was authorized the bonus in the NPS program only.  The applicant signed an AF Form 3006, Enlistment Agreement - Prior Service/Active USAFR/ANG-United States Air Force, on 8 April 2003.  In this regard, the Air Force indicates the applicant filed a CMS with his local MPF and the case was rejected due to his ineligibility, he was then given the option to take a six-year enlistment and be awarded the bonus.  However, the Board notes the enlistment contract indicates the applicant would be authorized payment of an initial enlistment bonus in the amount of $7,000.00 payable not earlier than one month after arrival at his first permanent duty station.  Since the applicant cannot receive the bonus in question for his four-year enlistment, we do believe that his record should be corrected in a way that will entitle him to the $7,000.00.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent 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 in a temporary duty status for a sufficient period of time beginning 8 April 2003 and was paid total per diem in an amount equivalent to $7,000.00 of pay and allowances.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-00579 in Executive Session on 29 June 2004, 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 16 February 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Military Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 5 May 2004.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 14 May 2004.

				

AFBCMR BC-2004-00579

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 be corrected to show that he was in a temporary duty status for a sufficient period of time beginning 8 April 2003 and was paid total per diem in an amount equivalent to $7,000.00 of pay and allowances.