RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03553 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His commissioning date be changed from 12 August 2010 to 29 June 2010. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Due to an administrative error outside of the control of his recruiting unit he was not able to receive the Commissioning Incentive Bonus for new Chaplains. He further contends that if he had been informed the incentive program was being reinstated on 1 October 2010, he would have delayed his commissioning to be able to receive the bonus. In support of his request, the applicant provides an expanded statement and copies of email communiqués. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Air National Guard (ANG) as a chaplain in the grade of captain (O-3). _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: NGB/A1POP, Retention and In-Service Recruiting, recommends the AFBCMR review the input from ANG Chaplains Office (NGB/OC) and ANG Retention Operations Branch (NGB/A1YR) to determine if the applicant’s appointment date can be adjusted. If the AFBCMR determines the applicant’s appointment can be adjusted, ANG NGB/A1YR will authorize the Officer Accession Bonus. The complete NGB/A1POP evaluation is at Exhibit C. NGB/A1POP, Officer Program Management, does not make a recommendation, but notes the applicant was initially approved for an appointment in the ANG on 29 Jun 10. However, because the applicant had previously been passed over for promotion and would need a waiver, the approval was revoked pending approval of the waiver. On 14 Jul 10, an approval letter was reissued and the applicant was appointed on 12 Aug 10. NGB/A1POP further notes they were not advised of the bonus issue tied to the applicant’s appointment. If they had been so advised, and had the state completed the appointment application, to include the waiver, his appointment would have been approved by 30 June 10. NGB/A1YR initially denied the applicant’s incentive eligibility for the Officer Accession Bonus based on his date of appointment in the Air National Guard (ANG) on 12 Aug 10. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 Incentive Program Operational Guidance did not authorize Officer Accession Bonuses for the fourth quarter of FY 2010. The complete NGB/A1POP evaluation is at Exhibit D. NGB/HC recommends approval noting the ANG/HC Senior Chaplain Interview was unduly delayed by 72 days when it normally takes 30 days. The complete NGB/HC evaluation is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant on 10 Feb 12, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit G). 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 an injustice warranting partial relief. The applicant contends that an administrative delay in the processing of his commissioning package resulted in his commission being delayed, which served to deprive him of eligibility for the Officer Accession Bonus. After a thorough review of the evidence of record, we find the delay in processing the applicant’s commissioning package was due to no fault of his own. Therefore, in the interest of equity and justice, we are convinced it would be appropriate to grant partial relief. We note the applicant is requesting his commissioning date be moved so he will be eligible for the bonus; however, we are mindful that while granting his request will make him eligible for the bonus he seeks, such a correction may have unforeseeable unintended consequences which could affect his pay and standing within his officer year group. Therefore, we believe it appropriate to instead correct the record to reflect that competent authority, as an exception to policy, authorized payment of the bonus. We believe this represents full and fitting relief in this case and therefore we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected to the extent 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 as an exception to policy, competent authority approved his receipt of the Officer Accession Bonus in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2010 Incentive Program. ____________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-03553 in Executive Session on 24 Apr 12 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603 All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 31 Aug 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, NGB/A1POP, dated 21 Sep 11. Exhibit D. Letter, NGB/A1POP, dated 21 Sep 11. Exhibit E. Letter, NGB/HC, dated 28 Sep 11. Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 Feb 12.