RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-03913
		INDEX CODE:  128.05
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		COUNSEL:  None
XXX-XX-XXXX	HEARING DESIRED: No

	Mandatory Case Completion Date:  25 Jun 06

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive a portion of his Initial Enlistment Bonus (IEB). 

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was offered an enlistment bonus of $2000 when he signed up in June of 2003 under the AFSC 2T3X4 (General Purpose Vehicle Maintenance Apprentice) for six years and he never received any of it. His contract was lost and because of this, he was never given any of his enlistment bonuses.  He recently separated and has been informed that he is still entitled to portion of the bonus for the time that he served.  He verified that the $2000 bonus offered for his job class was in effect in June 2003 when he signed up.

In support of his appeal, applicant has provided a copy of DD Form 4/3 enlistment contract and a copy of a Certificate of Enlistment.

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 3 December 2003 for a period of six years as an airman basic (AB). 

On 2 December 2003, the applicant signed and initialed Air Form  Form 3008 (Supplement to Enlistment Agreement - United States Air Force) acknowledging he understood the terms and conditions of his enlistment agreement which did not include an initial enlistment bonus. During that timeframe, the AFSC 2T334 (General Purpose Maintenance Apprentice) was not authorized an IEB; therefore, a contract to award a bonus was not prepared.

On 20 August 2004, the applicant voluntarily applied for an early separation under the provisions of the Air Force Shaping Program, Phase II, AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen (miscellaneous/general reasons). 

On 2 December 2004, he was separated from the Air Force with an honorable discharge. He served one year and one month total active military service.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPAE recommended denial since he did not meet the requirements for payment of the bonus.  The initial enlistment bonuses are used to aid in meeting recruitment needs of the Air Force, with effective dates and amounts that are subject to change to meet specific recruiting goals.  The IEB eligibility is determined by the servicemember’s Date of Enlistment (DOE) and successful completion of technical training for the career field in which the servicemember enlisted.  

AFPC/DPPAE complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 18 February 2005 for review and comment within 30 days.  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 not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.	Insufficient 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; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  In this respect, the Board notes at the time the applicant signed and initialed his enlistment agreement, an initial enlistment bonus was not authorized for his Air Force Specialty Code.  In view of the above and in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to grant the requested relief.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of  material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-03913 in Executive Session on 6 April 2005 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 15 Dec 04, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.Applicant’s Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPAEQ, dated 9 Feb 05.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Feb 05.