RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2019-03241

XXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  XXXXXXXXXXXXX
	
	HEARING REQUESTED:  NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

She receive an Aviation Bonus in the amount of $35,000 for Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

On 17 Sep 18 (sic), a 2018 Aviation Bonus was signed and submitted to the Career Enhancements Technician.  Due to an administrative error on the part of the Force Support Squadron, Career Enhancements Section, the paperwork has since been lost and it was discovered the agreement never made it to National Guard Bureau (NGB).

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air National Guard major (O-4).

On 13 Sep 18, according to documentation provided by the applicant, under Order Number Z9VGZS, the applicant was called to an Active Guard Reserve Initial Tour from 16 Sep 18 – 15 Sep 22.

On 16 Sep 18, according to documentation provided by the applicant, the applicant signed a Fiscal Year 2018 Aviation Bonus (AvB) Agreement (Statement of Understanding).

On 5 May 19, according to documentation provided by the applicant, the wing commander signed the Fiscal Year 2018 Aviation Bonus (AvB) Agreement (Statement of Understanding), approving the applicant’s AvB election.

On 8 May 19, according to documentation provided by the applicant, Case Management System (CMS) case number 11538090 was opened to forward the applicant’s AvB election.  The applicant’s election was rejected by NGB/A1PF and referred to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

NGB/A1P recommends granting the application.  There is evidence the applicant completed all required actions to be eligible for the FY18 Aviation Bonus with a start date of 16 Sep 18.  The applicant submitted the original request within the required timeframe with a requested start date of 16 Sep 18.  However, the AvB Coordinator did not follow through with filing paperwork as required in the FY18 AvB policy, paragraph 3.6.11., “Forward completed FY18 AvB Agreement(s) to NGB/A1PF via CMS IAW Atch 4 within 30 days of member’s signature.”

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 2 Apr 20 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

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

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of NGB/A1P and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Through no fault of the applicant, the AvB Coordinator did not follow through with filing paperwork as required in the FY18 AvB policy.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show on 16 September 2018, she executed a Fiscal Year 2018 Aviation Bonus Agreement Statement of Understanding, and competent authority approved her application at a Tier 1 - $35,000.00 annual rate, for the period 16 Sep 18 – 15 Sep 22.

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-2019-03241 in Executive Session on 15 Apr 20:

, 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 22 May 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, NGB/A1P, dated 19 Mar 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 2 Apr 20.

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