RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2004-03854
		INDEX NUMBER: 100.00

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE

XXX-XX-XXXX	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  23 Nov 05

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive an $8,000, rather than $5,000, prior service enlistment bonus.

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THE APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was promised that he would receive an $8,000 prior service enlistment bonus and signed an agreement with the Air Force to that effect.  However, one year after he enlisted, he was informed that the bonus amount quoted to him and written into his paperwork was incorrect and he would receive a lesser amount.  He enlisted in good faith based on the information he was provided and should not be held accountable for any misinformation provided to him by agents of the Air Force.  Had he known he would have been eligible for the $8,000 bonus if he enlisted after 1 June 2003, he would have enlisted after that date.

In support of the appeal, applicant submits statements from the squadron commander, training superintendent, and the wing career assistance advisor.

The wing career assistance advisor states that based on a memo from the Chief of Air Force Reserve, dated 5 March 2003, which indicated that effective 1 January 2003, the six-year prior service enlistment bonus would be increased from $5,000 to $8,000, he counseled the applicant that he would be entitled to the increased bonus.  However, he later received a memo indicating the effective date of the increase was 1 June 2003.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Air Force Reserve on 22 March 2003, for a period of six years, and received a $5,000 prior service enlistment bonus.

In accordance with Title 37, United States Code, Section 308i, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2003, the prior service enlistment bonus for a six year enlistment in the Air Force Reserve was increased from $5,000 to $8,000, effective 1 June 2003.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/DPM recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that they sincerely apologize for the incorrect information applicant received; however, he received the prior service enlistment bonus amount authorized at the time of his enlistment.  The official release date for the increase to $8,000 was 27 May 2003 and stated the effective date was 1 June 2003.

The AFRC/DPM evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 4 February 2005 for review and response within 30 days.  However, as of this date, this office has received no response.

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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.  In this respect, we note the wing career advisor states that based on a Chief of Air Force Reserve memo, dated 5 March 2003, which indicated that effective 1 January 2003, the six-year prior service enlistment bonus was increased from $5,000 to $8,000, he counseled the applicant that he would be entitled to the increased bonus.  However, at the time of his 22 March 2003 enlistment in the Air Force Reserve, he only received a $5,000 prior service enlistment bonus.  Had the applicant been properly counseled regarding the bonus, we believe he would have delayed his enlistment to insure that he received the higher bonus.  In view of the above, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to show that he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on 1 June 2003.  Based on the recommended correction to his date pf enlistment, his retirement/retention date will be adjusted from 22 March to 1 June and he will lose a total of 8 paid inactive duty training (IDT) points for his participation during the weekends of 5 to 6 April 2003 and 3 to 4 May 2003.  In view of this, we also recommend 8 additional paid IDT points be added to the retirement/retention year 1 June 2003 through 30 May 2004.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to XXXXX be corrected to show that:

	a.	He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on 1 June 2003, rather than 22 March 2003, for a period of six (6) years; and at the time of his enlistment on 1 June 2003, he was entitled to a prior service enlistment bonus.

	b.	He was awarded an additional 8 paid inactive duty training points for retirement/retention year 1 June 2003 through 30 May 2004.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2004-03854 in Executive Session on 23 March 2005, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Dec 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AFRC/DPM, dated 12 Jan 05.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Feb 05.

                                   

AFBCMR BC-2004-03854

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 XXXXX, XXX-XX-XXXX, be corrected to show that:

	a.  He enlisted in the Air Force Reserve on 1 June 2003, rather than 22 March 2003, for a period of six (6) years; and at the time of his enlistment on 1 June 2003, he was entitled to a prior service enlistment bonus.

	b.  He was awarded an additional 8 paid inactive duty training points for retirement/retention year 1 June 2003 through 30 May 2004.