RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2007-01178
		INDEX CODE:  128.05

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  18 OCT 08

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive the Initial Enlistment Bonus (IEB) for the 1C431 Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was not given a signing bonus for the TACP career field because he was informed that he was prior service.  He states he should be entitled to the bonus because he was not prior service.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 13 July 2004 in the grade of airman basic.  He is currently serving in the grade of senior airman effective and with a date of rank of 27 December 2006.

On 13 July 2004, the applicant signed AF Form 3008, Supplement to Enlistment Agreement – United States Air Force that guaranteed him training in the 1C231, Combat Control Apprentice AFSC for a $6,000 IEB upon completion of technical training.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPAE recommends denial.  DPPAE states the IEB program is an incentive program used to encourage individuals to enlist in selected AFSCs needed by the Air Force.  The bonus AFSCs are determined by Air Staff on a quarterly basis.  Based on the member’s enlistment date of 13 July 2004, 1C431 was not a bonus AFSC at that time.  The applicant signed an AF Form 3008, dated 13 July 2004 that guaranteed him training in the 1C231 AFSC for a $6,000 IEB.  However, a review of the applicant’s military records found that the applicant did not complete technical training for the 1C231 AFSC.  The applicant was reclassed into 1C431, Tactical Air Command and Control Apprentice which was not a bonus AFSC during July 2004.

The DPPAE complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/JA recommends denial.  JA states eligibility for the IEB was contingent on training and qualification in the 1C231 AFSC (combat control).  The applicant never completed training in the bonus AFSC.  The applicant knew that completion of technical training and award of the three skill level in the 1C231 AFSC was required before such a bonus was authorized.  Training in the two AFSCs is distinct.  An airman who only completes the TACP technical school is not trained to serve as a combat controller.  In sum, the two AFSCs are not interchangeable and the offer of an IEB to train as a combat control apprentice serves as an incentive to complete training needed to qualify in that specific skill.

The applicant would not have been offered an IEB in July 2004 for completion of TACP technical school because it was a non-bonus AFSC at the time he enlisted in July 2004.  To be statutorily entitled to an enlistment bonus, the AFSC must be designated as a bonus AFSC in the month an airman enlists.  The applicant was only entitled to such pay if he completed technical training and upon award of the 1C231 AFSC.  If the applicant later completed training in and was awarded the 1C231 AFSC in his current enlistment, then payment of the enlistment bonus could be warranted.

The JA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 24 May 2007, the evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  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.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice.  The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, the Board does not find the applicant’s assertions sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force.  The Board notes the applicant signed and initialed an enlistment agreement for payment of a $6,000.00 IEB upon completion of technical training in AFSC 1C231.  He did not complete the technical training for his career field and was reclassified into AFSC 1C431, in which no enlistment bonus existed for this AFSC when the applicant enlisted.  The applicant did not meet contractual requirements for an IEB payment in his initial enlistment career field; therefore, he is not entitled to an IEB of $6,000.00 for AFSC 1C231.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Board finds no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2007-01178 in Executive Session on 12 July 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

			XXXXXXXXXX, Acting Panel Chair
			XXXXXXXXXX, Member
			XXXXXXXXXX, Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 11 Apr 07.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 24 Apr 07, w/atch.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/JA, dated 18 May 07.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 May 07.

				XXXXXXXXXX
				Acting Panel Chair