RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-01687
		INDEX CODE:  100.06
		
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE:  29 November 2008

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Reenlistment Eligibility (RE) code 3E “Second-term or career airman who refused to get retainability for training or declined to attend PME,” be removed from his records.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His personnel office was the reason behind his failure to submit all the required documents with his application for the Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program (NCORP).

The MSgt at his MPF who was handling his paperwork was unaware that AFPC was requiring a DD Form 422 (sic), Physical Profile Serial Report with the retraining package; the MSgt thought that it was his servicing MPF that was requiring him to get a Preventive Health Assessment (PHA) for reenlistment.  As such, the MSgt indicated that a PHA was not required for reenlistment.  As a result, he thought the MSgt meant he was not required to submit the DD Form 422 (sic).

In support of his request, applicant provided copies of his last three EPRs, and AF Form 422, Physical Profile Serial Report.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of TSgt.  His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) is 4N051, Aerospace Medical Services.

The following facts were extracted from the Air Force Evaluation.

On 26 Jul 06, HQ AFPC announced implementation of the FY 07 Noncommissioned Officer Retraining Program (NCORP), a multi-purpose, two-phase program designed to rebalance the enlisted force by moving NCOs from career fields with overages to those skills experiencing shortages; and to provide NCOs with a voice in their career development.  They identified over 3,000 NCOs, by order of vulnerability, susceptible to retraining.  In the announcement message, AFPC asked NCOs to voluntarily apply for retraining into an AFSC of their choice during Phase I (voluntary) of the program that ran 26 Jul 06 – 18 Sep 06.  If voluntary targets were not met in any AFSC, Phase II (involuntary) would be implemented.  Phase II was implemented and ran from 3 Jan 07 - 31 May 07.  All vulnerable NCOs identified as vulnerable in Phase I were given until 15 Jan 07 to submit an initial request, followed by a suspense of 28 Feb 07 to submit a completed application.  Air Staff targeted 40 TSgts in this applicant’s AFSC for retraining into the 4N011C, Independent Duty Medical Technician AFSC only and the applicant was number 109 of 370 TSgt’s identified as vulnerable for involuntary retraining.

The applicant submitted an initial retraining application on     6 Feb 07 and on 6 Feb 07, the Air Force Contact Center (AFCC) advised the applicant he met the qualification for the 4N011C AFSC and also advised him to submit his completed application along with all required documents.  On 27 Feb 07, the AFCC sent a reminder to the applicant that he was still targeted under Phase II that his completed application was due 28 Feb 07 and finally, he was given an additional suspense until 14 Mar 07 to comply—in which he failed to meet.  

When his MPF did contact the AFCC on 8 May 07, the applicant told his MPF that he was never informed that he fell under Phase II, not withstanding his application on 6 Feb 07.  All AFCC responses are provided via e-mail to the account provided by the applicant.  Additionally, the applicant states the MSgt was unaware of the AF Form 422 for the retraining application and that he was under the impression that the MPF was requiring a Preventative Health Assessment (PHA) for reenlistment.  Clearly, these actions are not part of NCORP retraining and the requirements were succinctly stated in his discussion threads.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPPAE reviewed the application and recommends denial.  Looking at the discussion threads, it is clear that there was no communication between the MSgt and the AFCC concerning the applicant and NCORP, nor was there any mention of a PHA requirement for reenlistment made by the AFCC.  The applicant failed to complete the required actions as outlined under the discussion threads.  And there is no error or injustice noted by anyone that causes the applicant to miss a deadline—other than by the applicant.  The applicant failed to complete his retraining application under Phase II of the program, although fully aware of the program requirements.  Applicant was fully aware of the NCORP.  To permit removal of this code seriously undermines the program and most of all, is unjust to those that complied and were selected for involuntary retraining because of his inaction and attempts.  This applicant is one of approximately three hundred NCOs that failed to take responsibility as member of the profession of arms and moreover, as noncommissioned officers in the USAF.  The applicant’s own inaction placed him in the predicament and therefore, the RE code of 3E is correct.

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

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

An RE3 code was applied to his permanent service record due to noncompliance with Phase II of the Force Shaping Program.  He has been proudly serving the Air Force since his first enlistment on 13 Feb 91.  As a TSgt in the Air Force, he fully understands the value of being held accountable for his actions.  His obvious carelessness in following through with the submission of appropriate documents has resulted in the undesired need to ask for forgiveness and understanding.  He has always been duteous to Air Force instructions and policies, but in this one determining occasion, he was not.  It was his responsibility to assure that he completed all requirements made to him after being identified as retrainable, and for the first time in his career, he failed. He made a stupid and senseless mistake, and he stands ready to receive whatever judgment is passed.  He has been, and will continue to be a tremendous asset to the Air Force, and will do any job and/or take on any assignment, no matter how remote or unwanted, just to continue to serve.

Applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

_________________________________________________________________

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.  In this respect, the applicant was selected for retraining under the involuntary stage of the NCO Retraining Program.  Individuals identified under this stage were required to submit a completed   retraining application and associated documentation in order to process the retraining.  Having been selected for the involuntary phase of retraining, the applicant was notified of the actions required on his part.  Applicant contends he relied on guidance from a MSgt in his personnel office, regarding the AF Form 422, Physical Profile Serial Report, as to whether it was required with the retraining package.  Although documentation clearly shows that the applicant was informed of what documents were required in the retraining package, we believe that he, in good faith, believed he had completed all actions required on his part.  After reviewing the evidence of record, most notably his 16 years of honorable service in the Air Force, his honesty in accepting full responsibility for his actions, and his desire to continue his career in the Air Force, we believe in the interest of justice his records should be corrected to the extent indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 28 February 2007, his reenlistment eligibility (RE) code was 1M.

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2007-01687 in Executive Session on 29 August 2007, 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 10 May 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPAE, dated 14 jun 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Jul 07.
     Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Jul 07.