RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2018-01383

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL: NONE

							HEARING: NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His 20 Oct 16 enlistment extension be voided.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He received conflicting guidance when he requested to reenlist while deployed.  PERSCO and AFPC did not reject the reenlistment request of other individuals who reenlisted in a deployed location, or raise concerns those members did not have required retainability for their deployments.  He attempted to resolve his reenlistment prior to, and after his deployment.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is an Air Force master sergeant.  

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2SSM recommends denying the application.  

By voiding the 2 month extension executed for deployment retainability, the applicant seeks to be paid the zone C multiple 3.5 Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) for 6 years versus the 5 years (he was paid).  The applicant was notified of a projected deployment in May 17 and that he needed to extend his 11 Nov 16 Date of Separation (DOS) for 2 months to have sufficient retainability.  He was eligible to reenlist or extend.  Airmen are required to obtain retainability before departing for deployment even if they plan on reenlisting while deployed.    

The applicant was in his zone C (10 to 14 years of service) SRB window from 4 Dec 12 through 3 Dec 16 and his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was on the SRB list for a zone C multiple 3.5.  If he reenlisted with the SRB before he left for the deployment he would have reenlisted for 5 years and 2 months and the SRB payment would have been subject to tax.  However, when Airmen reenlist while in a combat zone the SRB payment is tax exempt, so the applicant wanted to wait until he was deployed in the combat zone to reenlist.  Additionally, the applicant wanted to reenlist for the maximum of 6 years, which meant he would have to wait and reenlist when he was within 29 days or less of his 11 Nov 2016 DOS.  Obligated service from the last enlistment/reenlistment of 29 days or less is dropped and not carried over to the next reenlistment.

The applicant would have 2 months of obligated service from his last contract that would have to be carried over to his new reenlistment.  Airmen must reenlist in whole year increments and “Under no circumstances can the reenlistment, along with combined obligated service, exceed 72 months.”  The applicant executed a 5 year and 2 month reenlistment on 20 Oct 16 while deployed and received the SRB for 5 years tax free.  What he wanted to do was not get the retainability for the deployment and reenlist while deployed for 6 years to receive the SRB payment for 6 years versus 5 years.  The applicant was correctly briefed and processed in reference to obtaining retainability for deployment and reenlisting while deployed.  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 12 Sep 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response. 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

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/DP2SSM 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:  

The applicant be informed that 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-2018-01383 in Executive Session on 16 Oct 18:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2018-01383:

Exhibit A:  Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 3 Apr 18.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2SSM, dated 4 May 18.
Exhibit D:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 12 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.