RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-00575

   						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She receive the $20,000 enlistment bonus she signed up for with her recruiter to enter her new career field in the Colorado Air National Guard (COANG).

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

When she transitioned from active duty to the COANG, she signed official documentation, which indicated she was to receive an affiliation bonus as a Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) technician.  However, after returning from her technical training school she was told her recruiter had made a mistake, and her new AFSC (2A7X2) did not qualify for a bonus.  She was given guidance and trusted the subject matter expert to fill out her paperwork properly.  

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 22 Jan 08.

On 21 Sep 14, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and was credited with six years and eight months of active service.  

On 22 Sep 14, the applicant enlisted in the Air National Guard for a period of six years. 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1Y recommends denial, though there is evidence of an error.  NGB/A1Y determines which AFSCs are eligible for incentive bonuses based upon the attainment of ANG accession objectives, overall manning levels, length and cost of training and length of enlistment periods.  The Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14) "ANG Incentive Program Operational Guidance, Change 2," lists 2A7X3 (Aircraft Structural Maintenance) as an AFSC eligible for an incentive bonus for FY14.  The NDI AFSC of 2A7X2 was not eligible for a bonus in FY14.  The ANG Incentive Program Eligibility Verification Worksheet as well as the ANG Affiliation Bonus Written Agreement, both signed by the applicant, showed the applicant entering the 2A7X3 AFSC.  The applicant contends she was told her new career field was NDI and qualified for the bonus, and she has all the applicable paperwork stating where and when she signed for a bonus under the AFSC 2A7X3-(Aircraft Structural Maintenance).  However, there are pen strikes in her paperwork changing her 2A7X3 AFSC to the NDI career field (2A7X2) that was not eligible for a bonus, and she was placed into and attended training for the 2A7X2 (NDI) AFSC.  

NGB/A1Y agrees a process/communication breakdown occurred between her local unit, her recruiter, and the Force Support Squadron, but recommends denial of this request.  The applicant was given the following option: 

1) Remain in her current 2A7X2 AFSC without incentive pay; 2) Retrain into 2A7X3 AFSC to qualify for the incentive; or 3) Amend her enlistment into her previous AFSC (2A5Xl), which was also eligible for the incentive bonus to qualify.

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

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 3 Nov 16 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.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an injustice.  While we note the comments of NGB/A1Y indicating relief should be denied, the Board believes relief is warranted.  In this respect, we note NGB/A1Y’s comment that a process/communications breakdown occurred; the applicant was sent to the incorrect technical school for her assigned AFSC; the applicant signed what appeared to be a valid contract for an affiliation bonus; she was clearly told that by retraining to the NDI career field she would earn the bonus reflected in the contract.  She made life altering decisions based upon the promises made to her in the signed contract; however, the contract appears to have been modified after having been signed without the applicant initialing the change.  The applicant upheld her portion of the contract by completing the training which took in excess of a year; and, at no time during the process does it appear anyone notified her of the error or miscommunication until her lengthy training was complete.  While the Board stresses that this case does not set a precedent for the payment of bonuses based upon verbal promises, or for payment of bonuses outside of those approved in an official incentive program, given the errors and unique set of circumstances upon which the applicant relied to make life altering decisions, and the lengthy period of training required to qualify for the promised bonus, we believe relief is warranted.  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 in conjunction with her reenlistment on 22 September 2014, she was granted an exception to policy to receive a $20,000 affiliation bonus for retraining into the 2A7X2 Air Force Specialty Code (Nondestructive Inspection).  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-00575 in Executive Session on 18 Apr 17 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-2016-00575 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Feb 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, NGB, dated 11 Oct 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 3 Nov 16.

Pursuant to paragraph 1 of AFI 36-2603 (Title 32 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 865.1), it is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.