RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-00592

XXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be paid his enlisted incentive for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He was promised by his recruiter he would receive SLRP as part of his re-enlistment package.  However, his recruiter did not submit the proper paperwork.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air Force Reserve master sergeant (E-7).

On 5 Mar 17, he enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for a period of 6 years.  His primary and control Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC) are 2A6X5.  

While there is a DD Form 1966, Record of Military Processing – Armed Forces of the United States, for his 2009 enlistment, there is no DD Form 1966 for his 2017 reenlistment.  According to the email provided by the applicant no DD Form 1966 was accomplished in 2017 because the applicant transferred from the Air National Guard.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

10 United States Code § 16301, Education Loan Repayment Program: Members of Selected Reserve; Department of Defense Instruction 1205.21, Reserve Component Incentive Programs Procedures; Air Force Reserve Student Loan Repayment Program Fact Sheet; and DD Form 2475, DoD Educational Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Annual Application.

The SLRP is an Air Force Reserve program that makes one annual payment directly to the lending institution toward the balance of an individual’s student loans.  The program is designed to attract and retain individuals in critical wartime specialties for participation in the Selected Reserve.  Enlisted members agree to participate in the Selected Reserve in exchange for education loan repayment to their designated lender.  Annual payment will be 15% of the outstanding balance or $500 per each qualifying loan account number including interest, whichever is greater, up to $3,500 for each year of satisfactory service, regardless of when the member entered the program.  No payment will exceed the amount needed to liquidate a loan and no one individual may ever exceed $20,000 over the lifetime of the program (including any interest that may have been paid).  Lifetime of the program is considered a 6-year enlistment.  Payments are made annually.  The annual payments will be made based on enlistment anniversary date until enlistment is complete.  Members must have a satisfactory year or the amount will be pro-rated.  Members must go to their Wing Training Office within 90 days of their enlistment anniversary date to receive additional counseling on repayment processing requirements and sign a SLRP written contract.  Members must request annual loan payment in writing (DD Form 2475) within 90 days of completing each year of satisfactory service.  

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/DPTT recommends granting the application.  On 5 Mar 17, the applicant entered into the Air Force Reserve, in AFSC 2A6X5.  During this time, the 2A6X5 career field was listed on the Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) Officer and Enlisted AFSC Incentive Listing, and therefore, the applicant would have been eligible to enlist with the SLRP entitlement.  The recruiter states that a DD Form 1966 was not required because the applicant transferred from the Air National Guard and that the applicant ought to have received an enlistment contract from his Wing Career Advisor.  Documentation does not show negligence on the part of the applicant but does strongly support his claim that the recruiter did not inform him of the SLRP process and procedures, nor provide him the appropriate documentation to participate in SLRP.  Based on the FY18 Officer and Enlisted AFSC Incentive Listing, supporting documentation presented in DD Form 149, and analysis of the facts, there is evidence of an error.  Recommend that the applicant receive his earned backdated payments for the previous 3 years and be able to participate in SLRP for the remainder of his 6-year contract.  The Education Service Officer should notify the applicant of the proper instructions on the SLRP processes and procedures, and the applicant should complete DD Form 2475, DoD Educational Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Annual Application, for each year of his first 3 years of instruction.

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 29 Oct 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 ARPC/DPTT and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

4.  The applicant has not shown a personal appearance, with or without counsel, would materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show he submitted DD Forms 2475, DoD Educational Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Annual Application, on 5 Mar 18, 5 Mar 19 and 5 Mar 20, in order to be reimbursed for student loans authorized under the Student Loan Repayment Program.

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-2020-00592 in Executive Session on 18 Nov 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/atch, dated 11 Jan 20.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, ARPC/DPTT, dated 20 Mar 20.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 29 Oct 20.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2020-00592, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.