RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00957

 						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be granted an FY14 Reenlistment Cash Bonus for Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 4N071, Aerospace Medical Service.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

In February 2013, she graduated from the 4T0X1, Laboratory Technician, course after 14 months of training.  The National Guard Bureau (NGB) released an announcement in March 2013 that AFSC 4T0X1 would be a part of the transformation of healthcare specialties and would be omitted from the Unit Manning Document (UMD) and phased out over several years.  

In April 2014, she started working with her leadership on options for cross-training or returning to her previous AFSC of 4N071, Aerospace Medical Service.  The squadron leadership requested she be reassigned from a 4T to a 4N position in order to not lose her grade and to avoid cross training.  However, the Manpower Change Request (MCR) did not happen until September 2014 although the documents were signed in May 2014.  Therefore, she requests her records be corrected to show she was in AFSC 4N071 effective 12 May 2014.  Without this correction, she cannot receive the bonus due to the system showing she was not a 4N071 when she reenlisted.  Her unit did everything in their power to ensure the documentation was completed and approved prior to her reenlistment.  All efforts were exhausted to allow her to be awarded the bonus.   Also, in order for her to attend the 4T0X1 AFSC course, she had to repay back the earned portion (approximately $7,000) of a bonus she previously earned.  The incentive for her returning to the 4N071 AFSC was the cash bonus and a higher level management position.   

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is in the Air National Guard currently serving in the grade of Master Sergeant (MSgt, E-7).  

According to her DD Form 4, Enlistment Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States, the applicant reenlisted on 7 June 2014.  The DD Form 4 includes comment “Member is entitled to 4N0X1 AFSC pending MCR approval from NGB.”

The applicant’s AF Form 2096, Classification/On-the-Job Training Action, dated 17 December 2014, was corrected to reflect her assignment in the 4N071 position was effective 15 September 2014.  

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandums prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C and D.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1Y states they cannot make a recommendation on changing the effective date of the change from 4T0X1 to 4N0X1 as the process is owned by NGB/A1P and A1M.  However, if the request was validated and the change was effective prior to 7 June 2014, the applicant would be eligible for an FY14 Reenlistment Cash Bonus.   The applicant was assigned to a 4T0X1 Duty AFSC as of the effective date of her reenlistment on 7 June 2014.  Her Duty AFSC was not changed to 4N0X1 until 15 September 2014.  On the date of her reenlistment, 4T0X1 was not listed as an incentive AFSC and therefore not eligible for an FY14 Reenlistment Cash Bonus.  Eligibility for the incentive requires reenlistment in the incentivized Duty AFSC and that the member be fully qualified as of the date of enlistment.

A complete copy of the NGB/A1Y evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

NGB/A1PP recommends denial.  NGB/A1P also reviewed and concurred with the recommendation that the request be denied.  The applicant’s assigned position number was in AFSC 4T071 on the date of her reenlistment.  In order to receive an incentive bonus, a member must be in a valid AFSC and position number.  Additionally, NGB/A1PS retrieved an AF Form 2096 from the applicant’s record which shows a correction changing her effective date from 1 June 2014 to 15 September 2014.  This document aligns with the MCR position change.  

The position number was changed from 4T071 to 4N071 effective 15 September 2014 based on direction received from NGB/SG and Unit Type Code (UTC) requirements.  Upon approval of the MCR request, NGB/A1M explained that changes to the UMD cannot be backdated.  Furthermore, on 6 August 2015, the authorized AFSC and required AFSC were updated to 4E071, Public Health Technician, in accordance with the 124th Medical Group Transformation.  

A complete copy of the NGB/A1PP evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D. 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 14 July 2016 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit E).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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 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 NGB/A1PP and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material 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.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00957 in Executive Session on 9 and 15 August 2016 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	 , Panel Chair
	 , Member
	 , Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 19 February 2015, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, NGB/A1Y, dated 17 May 2016, w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Memorandum, NGB/A1PP, dated 11 January 2016 				  [sic], w/atchs.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 14 July 2016.