RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-03903

	COUNSEL: 

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She receive retroactive payment for Medical Corps Legacy Incentive Special Pay (ISP) and Additional Special Pay (ASP) for the period July 2016 through December 2016.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She was unaware she was required to complete a separate financial contract to receive ISP and ASP.  The pay computation worksheet she reviewed with her recruiter documents the ISP and ASP she would receive; however, there is no mention that this specialty pay required a separate contract, nor was she briefed about this requirement.  She subsequently learned of this requirement during an Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) briefing she received relating to the new Medical Corps pay plan [Consolidated Special Pay (CSP)] which replaced the Medical Corps Legacy ISP and ASP effective 1 January 2017.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Air Force Reserve on 12 February 2004, in the grade of captain (O-3) and was progressively promoted to the grade of lieutenant colonel (O-5).  She was ordered to extended active duty effective 12 July 2016, and is currently serving in the grade of lieutenant colonel as a family medicine physician in the Regular Air Force.

According to the United States Air Force Fiscal Year 2017 Medical CSP Plan, effective Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17), Medical Corps officers will begin converting from Legacy Special Pays to CSP.

According to CSP Incentive Pay (IP) Contract Request (Non-GMO), dated 21 January 2017, the applicant was approved to receive IP effective 1 January 2017.

In support of her request, the applicant provides a letter of support from the Medical Group Chief of Medical Staff dated 15 February 2017, requesting the Board consider approving the applicant’s request because the applicant did not receive Medical Corps counseling to include information on special pays during her orientation.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2N recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an injustice or Air Force error.  The error in question was due to the applicant not reviewing or understanding the eligibility requirements for special pay plans, not on the part of the Air Force.  Therefore, retroactive pay for the requested programs and timeframe is not warranted.  Information pertaining to special pay plans was available through the Medical Knowledge Exchange, or by contacting the Medical Special Pay office.  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 for comment, first on 4 January 2018 via the postal service (Exhibit D) and then on 6 April 2018 via official electronic mail, 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.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2N and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, 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-2017-03903 in Executive Session on 15 February 2018:

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 21 August 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2N, w/atch, dated 3 January 2018.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 4 January 2018.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.