RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-03655

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She receive Additional Special Pay (ASP) for 2015.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She missed out on ASP because she was not informed of changes with Medical Special Pay (AFPC/DP2SSM) operations.

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 Major, O-4.

On 12 Nov 13, the applicant requested Incentive Special Pay (ISP) for a period of 1 year, effective 1 Nov 13, as evidenced by Legacy ISP or Multi-Year Incentive Special Pay (MISP) and Multi-Year Special Pay (MSP) Medical Corps (MC) Contract Request.

On 26 Feb 14, the applicant requested ASP for a period of 1 year, effective 1 Feb 14, as evidenced by ASP MC Contract Request.

On 4 Sep 14, the applicant requested ISP for a period of 1 year, effective 1 Nov 14, as evidenced by Legacy ISP or MISP and MSP MC Contract Request.

On 25 Aug 15, the applicant requested ISP for a period of 1 year, effective 1 Nov 15, as evidenced by Legacy ISP or MISP and MSP MC Contract Request.

On 26 Jun 16, the applicant requested ASP for a period of 1 year, effective 1 Jun 16, as evidenced by ASP Medical Corps Contract Request.

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:

Medical-Chaplain recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice.  

The Medical Officer Legacy Special Pay Plan, paragraph 1.4.3, states, “Each officer is ultimately responsible for requesting/monitoring his/her medical special pays and obligations.  Officers should maintain a copy of the pay plan and signed contract for record.”  It was the applicant’s responsibility to know and monitor her ASP effective date and when to submit a new contract.  Changes at AFPC/DP2SSM does not negate the applicant’s responsibility in this matter.

AFPC underwent a reorganization in Oct 15.  This involved grouping like functions under directorates more suited for their operation and servicing of customers.  Additionally, AFPC/DP2SSM did change its submission process from members having to submit their information via e-mail, to a more user-friendly electronic system via myPers.  However, the reorganization the applicant speaks of had nothing to do with the dissemination of information to Air Force Medical Service (AFMS) personnel; it was a totally separate process.  Additionally, at each step in AFPC/DP2SSM’s change process, robot messages were sent to AFMS members noting said changes and their effective dates, and live webinars were conducted to address these changes.  Furthermore, after the live webinars were conducted, the slides for those webinars were uploaded onto AFPC/DP2SSM’s myPers page for access by all AFMS members.

The applicant has been in the Air Force since 2 Jul 12.  Research of the member’s Automated Record Management System (ARMS) register indicates she has been receiving some sort of medical special pay since 2013.  In particular, the applicant submitted and received an ASP payment--the pay that she is noting she missed in 2015—on 1 Feb 14.  There is no reason to believe the applicant would not have known to submit the same ASP contract the following year, unless it is the applicant’s error and she is withholding that information.  It is under the impression that the applicant simply overlooked her due date and did not submit a contract.  Therefore, the applicant’s miscalculation does not constitute an error on the part of the United States Air Force.

A complete copy of the Medical-Chaplain evaluation, with attachment, 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 Oct 17 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.  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 Air Force OPR 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-2016-03655 in Executive Session on 9 Nov 17 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-03655 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 26 Aug 16, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Excerpts from Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, Medical-Chaplain, dated 4 Nov 16,
  w/atch.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 5 Oct 17, w/atch.

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.