RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-03670

  	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

1. His Expiration of Term of Service (ETS) on his DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document, and his reenlistment date be corrected to be effective after 1 Jun 17.

2. His AF Form 18 [sic] and reenlistment be changed from four (4) to six (6) years.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was not briefed that if he reenlisted 30 days outside of his ETS date it would change his ETS in the system.  In addition, he was instructed to reenlist during the May Unit Training Assembly (UTA) due to the alignment of dates with the June UTA and his ETS for fear of a lapse.  These errors put his reenlistment outside the date window for a Selective Retention Bonus (SRB).  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air National Guard in the grade of technical sergeant.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1PP recommends granting the application.  The applicant had an ETS of 25 June 2017; therefore, the Force Support Squadron (FSS) could have allowed him to come in and reenlist during the June regularly scheduled drill (RSD) prior to its expiration.  Because the reenlistment bonus was approved 1 June 2017 and released by NGB/A1Y on 2 June 2017, the applicant could have qualified for the bonus had he waited to reenlist.  However, NGB/A1PP advises that the applicant’s FSS would have no way of notifying him that the best course of action would be to wait since a bonus had not yet been approved or released.  Therefore there was no error; however, it could be argued that there was an injustice.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 28 Mar 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

ADDITIONAL AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

NGB/A1PP recommends approval and provides an additional advisory for clarification purposes.  NGB/A1PP acknowledges the applicant was unable to qualify for a bonus based on his reenlistment date and would have qualified had he reenlisted during the June RSD.  They further acknowledge that there was no procedural error in the handling of applicant’s reenlistment by his FSS as they had no way of knowing he would qualify for a bonus by opting to wait.  It is difficult to argue that there was an error or injustice, which resulted in the applicant not qualifying for the bonus; it was simply a matter of hindsight being 20/20.
 
The complete advisory is at Exhibit E.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 8 May 18 for comment (Exhibit F), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  We note NGB/A1PP recommends granting the applicant’s request.  However, NGB/A1PP indicates, “It is difficult to argue that there was an error or injustice, which resulted in the applicant not qualifying for the bonus; it was simply a matter of hindsight being 20/20.” Given there is not sufficient evidence of an error or injustice, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.  

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-03670 in Executive Session on 13 Jun 18:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 6 Aug 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, NGB/A1PP, dated 11 Jan 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 28 Mar 18.
Exhibit E:  Advisory opinion, NGB/A1PP, dated 3 May 18.
Exhibit F:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 8 May 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 pertaining to Docket Number BC-2017-03670.