RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2018-00105

 	COUNSEL:  

  	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His election for career status bonus (CSB) be approved and he receive payment.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He submitted his application for CSB upon notification of eligibility.  However, due to administrative errors by his military personnel section (MPS), he never received payment for his CSB application.  

He submitted an earlier AFBCMR application in Aug 16 but did not receive a response.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a technical sergeant in the Air National Guard (ANG).

The applicant’s records include a signed DD Form 2839, Career Status Bonus (CSB) Election, dated 18 Oct 13, in which he acknowledged eligibility and elected to receive CSB in two annual payments of $15,000.  

He provides a military personnel data system (MilPDS) printout which shows his CSB acknowledgment date is 18 Oct 13, election effective date is 30 Mar 14, DFAS cut-off date is 30 Mar 14 and he requested CSB election of option 2 (two annual payments of $15,000).  

He provides a DD Form 2839 dated 26 Oct 15 requesting CSB with annual lump sum payment of $30,000. 

He provides a copy of case management system (CMS) printouts showing his MPS on 6 Sep 15 requested assistance from AFPC for CSB payment.  It states the original request for payment of CSB was submitted on 18 Oct 13 but was closed without action since it was submitted prior to the applicant’s election effective date of 30 Mar 14.  On 11 Sep 15, AFPC advised his MPS the request for CSB would have to be submitted as a BCMR application since backdated forms cannot be accepted.

The applicant has not received any CSB payment per his master military pay account (MMPA).  

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 approval.  The applicant’s force support squadron (FSS) failed to resubmit his CMS case within the appropriate timeframe for him to receive payment.  

An airman desiring CSB must complete the DD Form 2839 no later than 6 months following notification, or the date they reach 15 years of TAFMS, whichever is later.  The applicant was notified on 20 Sep 13 he was eligible for CSB.  He reached 15 years of total active federal military service (TAFMS) on 27 Mar 14. However, his FSS originally submitted the paperwork on 18 Oct 13, which was more than five days prior to the CSB election date of 30 Mar 14 and could not be processed.  The applicant’s FSS then failed to resubmit the CMS case until 6 Sep 15.   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 18 Jun 18 for comment (Exhibit D), 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 the victim of an error or injustice.  Based on the evidence of record, it is clear the applicant made a timely election for CSB but due to administrative errors, his request was not processed.  In view of this, the Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of NGB/A1PP and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends 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.  On 30 Mar 14, he signed DD Form 2839, Career Status Bonus (CSB) Election, requesting a single lump sum CSB payment in the amount of $30,000 and his request was approved.      

       b.  He be paid CSB in the amount of $30,000.  

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-2018-00105 in Executive Session on 24 Jul 18:

 , Panel Chair
 , Panel Member
 , Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:  

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 27 Dec 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, NGB/A1PP, w/atchs, dated 15 May 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 18 Jun 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.