RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2007-01958
		INDEX CODE:  128.05
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO
				
MANDATORY CASE COMPLETION DATE: Dec 22, 2008

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be paid his initial enlistment bonus for the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1C431, Tactical Air Command and Control Apprentice (TACP).
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He never received the bonus for the tactical air control party (TACP) technical school.

The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on active duty Air Force in the grade of senior airman.  He entered the active duty Air Force on 16 Nov 04.

His Air Force Form 3007, Guaranteed Training Enlistment Agreement Non-Prior Service – United States Air Force, dated 16 Nov 04, reflects he enlisted in the 1T231 AFSC and his AF Form 3008, Supplement to Enlistment Agreement – United States Air Force, dated 16 Nov 04, reflects he was entitled to a $4,000 initial enlistment bonus (IEB).

Other relevant facts are outlined in the AFPC/DPPAES and AFPC/JA opinions at Exhibits C and D, respectively.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPAES recommends denial of the applicant’s request and that the Board direct an AF Form 3009, Change to Enlistment Agreement - United States Air Force, be accomplished to identify the applicant’s reclassification into the non-bonus AFSC 1C431 from the bonus AFSC 1T231.  

DPPAES conducted a review of the applicant’s records and determined he did not complete the guaranteed 1T231 AFSC and, therefore, was reclassified into the 1C431 AFSC for which there was no bonus during Nov 04.  

Later or before the applicant’s graduation or training completion for the 1T231 AFSC, there was a change to his AFSC to reflect 1C431.  The applicant did not complete training in the originally guaranteed 1T231 AFSC and was reclassified into AFSC 1C431, but there was no AF Form 3009 accomplished to show this.

The initial enlistment bonus (IEB) program is an incentive program used to encourage individuals to enlist in selected AFSCs needed by the Air Force.  At the time of the applicant’s enlistment date on 16 Nov 2006 [sic], there was no bonus authorized for AFSC 1C431.  Moreover, the applicant did not identify any document that he signed that guaranteed or even offered an IEB for his completion of training and obtaining AFSC 1C431.

The AFPC/DPPAES complete evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/JA concurred with the recommendation of AFPC/DPPAES to deny the applicant’s request.  At the time the applicant enlisted, there was no authorized bonus for AFSC 1C431.  The applicant never completed the required training in the 1T231 AFSC.  He has not identified any documents that he signed guaranteeing or offering an IEB for completing training.

The applicant’s master personnel records do not indicate why he failed to complete the required training for AFSC 1T231.  

The applicant’s enlistment agreement placed him on notice that completion of technical training and award of the three-skill level in the 1T231 AFSC was required before such a bonus was authorized.  The agreement requires both the training and the qualification in the specified skill.  

Training in the 1T231 AFSC is distinct from training for other career fields.  Even if the applicant actually did complete the TACP technical school as he stated on his application, such training is not part of the pararescue training.  Moreover, the applicant has not demonstrated that completion of the TACP technical school by itself qualifies him for any bonus.  In sum, the enlistment agreement the applicant signed only applies to his training and qualifying under AFSC 1T231.  His present AFSC, and any training he received in attaining that AFSC, is not covered in his enlistment agreement.

According to DPPAES, the applicant would not have been offered an initial enlistment bonus in Nov 04 for completion of training under AFSC 1C431 because it was a non-bonus AFSC at the time he enlisted.  There is likewise no indication that the applicant is entitled to a bonus for completing TACP technical school.  To be statutorily entitled to an enlistment bonus, the AFSC must be designated as a bonus AFSC in the month an airman enlists.  As such, AFPC/JA cannot recommend the requested relief based on the completion of TACP technical school, if that did in fact occur.  

The AFPC/JA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.  

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 27 Jul 07 for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has not received a 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 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 office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application.

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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 Docket Number BC-2007-01958 in Executive Session on 29 August 2007, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 7 Jun 07.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPPAES, w/atch, dated 2 Jul 07.
    Exhibit D.  Memorandum, AFPC/JA, dated 20 Jul 07
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 Jul 07.