RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2020-01458

XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Pay him for his $15,000 reenlistment incentive bonus.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The career advisor told him he would receive a monetary bonus incentive of $15,000 for reenlisting for an additional 6 years.  He submitted the appropriate paperwork in 2016, but he has not yet received the $15,000 incentive bonus pay.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air Reserve staff sergeant (E-5).

On 23 May 11, according to DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States, the applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for a period of 6 years.  

On 30 Sep 16, according to DD Form 4, the applicant reenlisted in the Air Force Reserve for a period of 6 years.  Item 8b (Remarks) indicates the applicant’s ETS was 22 May 17, he was discharged effective 29 Sep 16 for immediate reenlistment and that he must participate in the Direct Deposit Pay Program unless he obtains a waiver. The applicant acknowledged item 8c (The agreements in this section and attached annex(es) are all the promises made to me by the Government.  Anything else anyone has promised me is not valid and will not be honored.)

On 30 Sep 16, according to AF Form 4021, Application for Incentive Participation, provided by the applicant, he applied for incentive pay for Duty Air Force Specialty Code (DAFSC) 3P051 (Security Forces), but was not signed by the approval authority.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY

AFI 36-2638, paragraph 1.3. Reenlistment Incentive Eligibility Criteria, 1.3.2., Must be within 6 months of previous expiration of term of service (ES).  CAUTION: When reenlisting a member who is potentially eligible to receive a reenlistment bonus, ensure the reenlistment takes place “within” the 6 month timeframe and not one day “after” the ETS.  Must have 6 years service based on pay date to reenlist for 3, 4, or 5 years. 

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 not the victim of an error or injustice.  While the applicant alleges he applied for and received verbal assurance that he would receive incentive pay, there is no evidence he was approved.  Furthermore, the Board finds the applicant has not established he is eligible for reenlistment incentive pay.  Specifically, in accordance with AFI 36-2638, the applicant’s 6-month window of opportunity to reenlist was on or about 22 Nov 16 through 22 May 17 and the applicant reenlisted outside of that window on 30 Sep 16.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

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-2020-01458 in Executive Session on 17 Dec 20:

Panel Chair
Panel Member
Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 27 Jan 19.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.

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.