RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2015-01895
		
							COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His contract enlistment incentives be fulfilled or he receive an honorable discharge instead of the general discharge he received.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was miscounseled prior to enlisting in the Air Force Reserve. He was informed he was eligible to receive an enlistment bonus if he enlisted for 6 years and completed technical school.  The applicant was later told that he was not eligible because the opportunity for the bonus had expired months prior to signing his contract and the recruiter should have not put this in his contract.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

On 29 Jul 14, the applicant entered the Air Force Reserve.

On 29 Jul 14, the applicant signed a DD Form 1966, Record of Military Processing, with the offering and election of an enlistment bonus.  The applicant signed the DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document, for a six year term.

On 2 May 15, according to information provided by the applicant, he signed a letter refusing to attend technical school training.  

The applicant is still actively serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of E-5/SSgt at Davis Monthan AFB NV.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibits C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/A1K recommends granting relief, indicating there is evidence of an error or injustice.  After reviewing the source documents and coordination with AFRC/RS (Reserve Recruiting), AFRC/A1K recommends approval and payment of Prior Service enlistment bonus provided the applicant completes the required term of service (6 years).  The applicant signed a DD Form 4, AF Form 4021 and a DD Form 1966, that all indicated the enlistment included an incentive bonus at the time.

The enlistment bonus list for the applicant’s AFSC of 2W151 expired in May of 2014, and the Air Force transitioned to the Critical Skills List (CSL) for enlistment incentives; therefore, the applicant was not qualified for a bonus under the FY13 incentive program.  At the direction of the recruiter, the applicant completed the bonus contract agreeing to serve for a term of six years in what he thought was a bonus AFSC.  It has been determined that the applicant has all the supporting documentation which led him to believe he was eligible for a bonus, however he was miscounseled by the recruiter and was later determined ineligible for a bonus.

A complete copy of the AFRC/A1K evaluation is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 5 Jan 15 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).  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.  Sufficient 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 and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant's records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he qualifies for prior service enlistment bonus as a result of enlisting in the Air Force Reserve for a term of 6 years on 29 July 2014, in an authorized incentive (bonus) Duty Air Force Specialty Code (DAFSC). 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01895 in Executive Session on 8 Mar 16 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01895 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 5 May 15, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFRC/A1K, dated 30 Dec 15.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Jan 16.