RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-02305
		
						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the initial enlistment bonus that was available 
for his career field when he enlisted in the Air Force.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was denied an enlistment bonus because he did not have an 
English translation of his foreign High School (HS) transcript.  
A few weeks prior to filing his DD Form 149, Application for 
Correction of Military Record, he found out this was an error 
and he should have been eligible for the bonus.

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to the applicant’s DD Form 4/1, 
Enlistment/Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United 
States, dated 31 Aug 05, the applicant enlisted in the Air Force 
Reserves.

According to the applicant’s DD Form 4/1, dated 2 Apr 13, the 
applicant reenlisted in the Air Force Reserves in the grade of 
Technical Sergeant (TSgt).

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force Office of 
Primary Responsibility, which is included at Exhibit C.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/RSOO recommends approval, contingent upon the applicant 
providing a valid HS diploma.  The applicant’s Air Force 
Specialty Code (AFSC) was on the bonus list at his unit in 
Fiscal Year 2005 (FY05) and he held the required qualifications.  
However, due to a breakdown in communication between the 
recruiter, Military Personnel Flight (MPF) and the applicant, he 
did not receive the bonus.

There are strong indications the applicant was never informed he 
needed to provide his HS diploma.  His recruiter informed him 
that his college transcripts would suffice and he took the 
transcripts to the MPF to update both his rank and bonus 
eligibility.  The MPF awarded the advancement in rank but not 
the bonus.  There is no indication the MPF advised the recruiter 
the bonus was not included since they had not received the 
applicant’s HS diploma.

The applicant had a foreign HS diploma that would have needed to 
be interpreted and validated.  The applicant scored in the 90s 
on the ASVAB across the board and In Accordance With (IAW) AFRCI 
36- 2001, Recruiting Instruction, Table 3, since his score was 
well above 65, he did not require HS transcripts to enlist.

The applicant was misinformed and provided all the necessary 
documents in a timely manner.

The complete RSOO evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AIK states the applicant’s record should be corrected to show 
that he qualified for the Non-Prior Service (NPS) Enlistment 
Incentive as a result of enlisting in the Air Force Reserve for 
a term of six years on 31 Aug 2005, in an authorized incentive 
(bonus) Duty Air Force Specialty Code (DAFSC) in effect on the 
applicant’s date of enlistment.

The complete A1K evaluation is at Exhibit D.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluation were forwarded to the 
applicant on 29 Jun 15 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 not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  Having 
carefully reviewed this application, we agree with the 
recommendations of the Air Force offices of primary 
responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis 
for our decision that the applicant has been the victim of 
either an error or an injustice.  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 that he 
qualified for the Non-Prior Service (NPS) Enlistment Incentive 
as a result of enlisting in the Air Force Reserve for a term of 
six years on 31 Aug 05, in an authorized incentive (bonus) Duty 
Air Force Specialty Code (DAFSC) in effect on the his Date of 
Enlistment, contingent upon receipt of a valid English 
translated High School diploma.


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-02305 in Executive Session on 6 Aug 15 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	                       , Panel Chair
	                        , Member
	                  , Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 May 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFRC/RSOO, dated 6 Mar 15.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFRC/A1K, dated 11 Jun 15.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Jun 15.