RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-04915 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be approved for a career status bonus (CSB) in a single lump sum payment of $30,000.00. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 1. He was informed on 14 February 2012 of his option to accept a CSB and he had to offer his election prior to 24 February 2012. 2. He was advised to submit all approved paperwork within six months of making his CSB election, which was 24 August 2012. Although, he met the established suspense date, he was told that he was delinquent in meeting the mandatory deadline of 14 May 2012, which was his 15th year of total active federal military service date (TAFMS). 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 staff sergeant (E-5). On 14 February 2012, USAF ACC 7 FSS/FSMPD notified the applicant of his eligibility to elect a CSB and his responsibility to complete the DD Form 2839, Career Status Bonus (CSB) Election, by obtaining his commander’s coordination and returning the form to the military personnel section (MPS) no earlier than 30 days prior to the suspense date. On 14 February 2012, USAF ACC 7 FSS/FSMPD informed the applicant that if he elected the CSB and his commander determined he was eligible, he was to take the completed form to his MPS for submission no earlier than 30 days prior to and no later than his election suspense date. The CSB election is effective the date the applicant reached 15 years of active military service (14 May 2012) or the date he signed the DD Form 2839, whichever is later. Lastly, the applicant was given the suspense of six months from the date of his notification to complete his election (14 August 2012). On 24 February 2012, the applicant acknowledged notification of his opportunity to elect the CSB and his responsibility in initiating the election within six months of his notification (24 August 2012). On 24 August 2012, the applicant’s records indicated that he was currently eligible to elect the CSB. On 24 August 2012, the applicant elected to receive the CSB as a single lump sum payment of $30,000.00. On 27 August 2012, the recording of the applicant’s election was made by service officials, with the CSB election effective date of 27 August 2012. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends approval, indicating the member was not properly informed of the correct suspense date to make an election for CSB. Although, the Mandatory Notification of Career Status Bonus Program memorandum provided to the applicant indicated that he must respond no later than 24 February 2012, paragraph 7g of the same memorandum stated the applicant’s suspense for completing his election was six months from 14 February 2012. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSOR 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 10 December 2012 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D). ________________________________________________________________ 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 and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant was given conflicting information in regards to the suspense date for his Career Status Bonus (CSB) election. Therefore, we find it reasonable to conclude that it was the applicant’s intent to timely submit his career status bonus election and that he would have done so were it not for the conflicting information he was provided upon notification. Therefore, we recommend his 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 on 13 May 2012, he executed a DD Form 2839, Career Status Bonus (CSB) Election, electing to receive a career status bonus (CSB) in a single lump sum payment of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000). ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-04915 in Executive Session on 8 August 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Vice Chair Member Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 October 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 9 November 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 10 December 2012.