RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2021-01273

XXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL:  NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Correct her official military records to reflect her grade upon enlistment as airman (E-2) instead of airman basic (E-1).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

She was never credited with her 13 college credit hours upon enlistment.  She entered service as an E-1 but should have entered as an E-2.  She provided an unofficial college transcript with her application to the Board reflecting the 13 college credit hours.  Her 13 hours and 4 additional hours after Basic Training were enough to advance to E-2 after completing Basic Training.  In 1987, 12 college credit hours were needed to enter as an E-2 after completing Basic Training, and she had 17 college credit hours.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force staff sergeant (E-5).

On 23 Jun 87, according to DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States, the applicant entered the Regular Air Force in the grade of E-1.

On 14 Oct 01, the applicant was furnished an honorable discharge, and credited with 14 years, 3 months, and 22 days active service.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP2LT recommends denying the application.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  In accordance with Air Force Recruiting Service Instruction (AFRSI) 36-2001, Recruiting Procedures for the Air Force, dated 1 Apr 05, Table 2.1., Enlistment Grade Determination and Factors, Rule 6, “Has satisfactorily completed 20 semester hours…” is the minimum for E-2.   Documents presented after completion of Basic Military Training may not be used as a basis for changing the authorized enlistment grade.  Only official transcripts from each university or college attended are authorized.

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 Oct 21 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not 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.  In accordance with AFRSI 36-2001, enlistment grade determination requires official transcripts, submitted prior to the completion of Basic Military Training.  Therefore, the Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP2LT and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions. The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years of discovering the alleged error or injustice, as required by Section 1552 of Title 10, United States Code, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  While the applicant asserts a date of discovery within the three-year limit, the Board does not find the assertion supported by a preponderance of the evidence.  The Board does not find it in the interest of justice to waive the three-year filing requirement.  Therefore, the Board finds the application untimely and recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; 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-2021-01273 in Executive Session on 17 Feb 22:

, 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 24 Mar 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP2LT, w/atchs, dated 19 Oct 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 19 Oct 21.

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.