RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:			DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2014-03393
		
  					COUNSEL:  NONE

					HEARING DESIRED:  NO



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her official military records be updated with the following:

Remove the erroneous Career Status Bonus (CSB) notification 
memorandum, dated 29 Jul 11;

Add an updated CSB notification memorandum retroactively dated 
to when she would have first become eligible.  
        

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was improperly notified 15 Jun 11 that she was eligible for 
her CSB.  The erroneous memorandum prevented her from receiving 
proper notification during the time she was actually eligible 
and able to receive her election tax free since at the time, she 
was serving in a combat zone.  

She was told the Military Personnel Section (MPS) made a mistake 
by not realizing she had a break in service.  She was then 
notified she would not be eligible until August 2014.  On 
4 Aug 14, she initiated contact with her current MPS and after 
researching her situation, the MPS indicated she should have 
received notice in June 2013.  

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


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force as a 
Master Sergeant (MSgt/E-7).

On June 15, 2011, the applicant acknowledged notification of the 
Mandatory Notification of CSB Program Memorandum. 

Special Order TE-3082 deployed the applicant to Al Udeid, Qatar 
on or about March 27, 2013 for approximately 180 days, during 
which period the applicant should of be notified of her CSB 
election. 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
described in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which are included at Exhibit C.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR recommends approval, indicating there is evidence of 
an error or injustice.  Because the applicant was given 
incorrect information concerning the implication of a CSB 
notification date made two years prior to her actual eligibility 
window, DPSOR recommends her CSB election notification 
memorandum dated 15 Jun 11 be removed from her records.  In 
additional, she should be allowed to accomplish a new CSB 
notification and receive the election; if she chooses.  

Based on the applicant’s Total Active Federal Military Service 
Date (TAFMSD), 07 Jan 99, she should not have been notified of 
the CSB until 7 July 2013; at her 14 ½ years of active service.  
She submitted her signed notification memorandum on 15 Jun 11 
due to the notification from the MPF.  Upon receipt of notifying 
the member of her ineligibility they never pulled the memorandum 
from being filed into the Automated Records Management System 
(ARMS).

If an enlisted member is serving in a combat zone or Qualified 
Hazardous Duty Area (QHDA), all military pay for that month is 
excluded from income for federal tax purposes so, if the CSB 
election is effective while serving in a combat zone or QHDA, 
and the enlisted member elects the lump sum payment, that 
payment is non-taxable.  If the enlisted member elects 
installment payments, only the payment made while serving in the 
HQDA is exempt from federal taxes.    
 
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 17 Oct 14 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  We took 
notice of the applicant's complete submission, including her 
signed notification memorandum, deployment orders and deployment 
flight plan, in judging the merits of the case and 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 been the victim of an 
error or 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:

	a.  The Mandatory Notification of Career Status Bonus (CSB) 
Program memorandum dated June 15, 2011 be removed, and a new CSB 
notification memorandum be issued dated July 7, 2013.
      
	b.  On July 7, 2013, the applicant executed a DD Form 2839, 
Career Status Bonus Election, choosing her CSB, as to be 
determined by the applicant, in Block 12a.


All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-03393 was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 14 Aug 14, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 1 Oct 14.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Oct 14.