RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-00963

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He receive an affiliation enlisted incentive bonus for Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1C67 (Satellite Operator).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He was recruited into the Air Force Reserve and enlisted for six years under the pretense he would receive an enlistment incentive bonus.  The incentive verification was completed and annotated on his contract by his recruiter.  The Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) denied his package noting he had received a six-year bonus in 2009.  They confirmed the findings and recommended he come to the Board.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force Reserve technical sergeant (E-6).

On 1 February 2018, according to the DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document - Armed Forces of the United States, the applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, in the grade of E-6.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/DPAA recommends granting the application.  According to DD Form 1966, Record of Military Processing – Armed Forces of the United States, dated 18 January 2018, the applicant acknowledged he met eligibility requirements for the Enlisted Incentive Program in AFSC 1C671.  

An Incentives Program Check reflects the applicant received a prior six-year service bonus while assigned to the Air National Guard in September 2009.  Per Title 37, United States Code, Section 308i “A person may not be paid more than one six-year bonus or two three-year bonuses under this section.”  Air Force Instruction 36-3012, Military Entitlements, states members should have less than six years of total military service to qualify for an enlisted affiliation bonus.  At the time of his enlistment into the Air Force Reserve, the applicant had 15 years, 1 month and 4 days of service.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is evidence of an error or injustice.  The applicant should be approved for a Reenlistment Bonus to accommodate potential system errors.

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 19 November 2020, 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/DPAA and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions in part.  The applicant requests he receive an enlisted affiliation incentive bonus; however, by law, the applicant cannot receive another 6-year affiliation since he received a prior service bonus while assigned to the Air National Guard in September 2009.  Therefore, the board agrees with the alternate relief ARPC/DPAA recommended that the applicant receive a reenlistment bonus rather than an affiliation bonus.  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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that he was approved for a Reenlistment Incentive for Fiscal Year 2018 with an effective date of 1 February 2018.

However, regarding the remainder of the applicant’s request, the Board recommends informing the applicant 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-2020-00963 in Executive Session on 17 December 2020:

Mr., Panel Chair
Ms., Panel Member
Ms. , Panel Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 22 March 2019.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, ARPC/DPAA, w/atchs, dated 24 April 2020.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 19 November 2020.

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.