RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-01431 

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He receive retroactive Incentive Special Pay (ISP) for the period of 1 October 2016 through 1 March 2017.  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was completely unaware he was eligible to receive ISP in the amount of $26,000 for the period of 1 October 2016 through 1 March 2017.  He thought he had to be board certified to receive this pay and no one in his chain of command or colleagues informed him of his entitlement to ISP.  

He has missed out on approximately $10,000 since he did not sign for his ISP in October.  He has an active duty service commitment until the year 2025; therefore, there would have been no beneficial reason for not signing the ISP contract in October.  

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 (0-4).  

According to the United States Air Force Fiscal Year 2016 Medical Officer Special Pay Plan, the provisions of the plan applies to active duty medical corps officers.  

According to the Automated Records Management System (ARMS), the applicant’s duty and primary Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) is 44E3A, Emergency Room Physician.  

According to ARMS, during the applicant’s military career he has only received ASP.  His initial payment of Incentive Pay (IP) was effective 1 March 2017.  

According to the Consolidation of Special Pays (CSP) Incentive Pay (IP) Contract Request (Non-GMO), dated 6 March 2017, the applicant was approved to receive IP, effective 1 March 2017 in the amount of $49,000.  

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:

AFPC/DP2N recommends denial.  The error in question was on the part of the applicant not reviewing or understanding the eligibility requirements for the pay plans in effect at the time of applications for special pay programs, and therefore does not warrant retroactive/back pay for the requested programs and timeframe.  

The Medical Special Pay plans change on a fiscal year basis and this information was readily available and easily accessible to the applicant through the Medical Knowledge Exchange and AFPC/DP2SSM, the Medical Special Pay’s Office.  

A complete copy of the AFPC/DP2N 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 3 January 2018 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 office of primary responsibility (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of 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-2017-01431 in Executive Session on 20 February 2018 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	Panel Chair
	Member
	Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 25 March 2017, w/atch.
Exhibit B.  Master Personnel Records Excerpts. 
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DP2N, dated 17 October 2017,  
                 w/atch.  
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 3 January 2018.

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.