RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2018-00526

  	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be approved for the enlisted incentive bonus for his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) of 2W071.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was misinformed by his squadron retention advisor and reenlisted prematurely without an approved waiver from his headquarters that has potentially caused him to lose $15,000.00, which was no fault of his own.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve (AFR) in the grade of staff sergeant.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/A1K recommends granting the application.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant was led to believe he was eligible for the reenlistment bonus, as he was not advised to submit a waiver to AFRC to reenlist outside the 30-day window IAW AFI 36-2638, Air Force Reserve Enlisted Incentives. It is not reasonable to expect the applicant to know he should have submitted a waiver to AFRC, as the functional experts did not advise him that this would be required. Recommend the applicant submit required paperwork to ARPC to award the applicant his reenlistment bonus.

IAW AFI 36-2638, para 1.3.8, if the member currently has a bonus, reenlistment more than 30 days prior to their ETS requires a waiver from HQ AFRC/DPMB.  The 482nd FSS/FSMPM verified that a 30-day waiver was not processed.  The applicant was not made aware that reenlisting on that date would make him ineligible for the reenlistment bonus.

IAW FY16 AFRC Critical Skills Listing (CSL) and as shown on the AF IMT 2096, Classification/On-The-Job Training Action, the applicant did hold a Critical Skills designated AFSC, 2W0X1, upon his reenlistment and could be eligible to receive a reenlistment bonus IAW AFI 36-2638, Air Force Reserve Enlisted Incentives, para 1.3.3.

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 19 Sep 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.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFRC/A1K 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 he was eligible for a reenlistment bonus effective 6 December 2015.

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-2018-00526 in Executive Session on 24 Oct 18:

, 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 20 Sep 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFRC/A1K, dated 11 Sep 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 19 Sep 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-2018-00526.