RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-02239

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be considered and awarded a Non-Prior Service (NPS) Bonus for Fiscal Year (FY) 14.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He was denied an enlistment bonus for his Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) for FY14.  His technical school completion date was still during the approval period of the FY14 Critical Skills List (CSL).  His deemed CSL AFSC did meet the eligibility and requirement of the Air Force incentive program.  His Distinguished Graduate Award solidifies the date of record (Jul 14), interlinking the approved FY14 CSL (1 Oct 13 thru 30 Sep 14) to the completed CSL course.  The applicant alleges this is an ongoing error at his unit and has affected base morale. 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides his graduation certificate and CSL charts outlining incentive cycles.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force Reserve (AFR) staff sergeant (E-5).

On 27 Jan 14, as annotated on DD Form 4/2, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document, Armed Forces of the United States, the applicant enlisted for a period of six years.

On 27 Feb 14, according to Reserve Order XXXX, the applicant was assigned to the XXXX, XX in a 2A655 AFSC position.

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

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/DPAT recommends denying the application.  On 27 Jan 14, the applicant enlisted into the AFR, under the AFSC 2A655.  On 6 May 14, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command (HQ AFRC) released the CSL.  Stating: “The effective date of the FY14 Incentive list is 6 May 14.  The list is only retroactive to 1 Oct 13, to members who reenlisted or retrained during the current FY.  Any NPS members that were not on the FY13, but have since been added to the FY14 list are not eligible for consideration.  We are not authorized to use the FY14 list prior to its approval date (6 May 14) for any other members.  NOTE: Please do not make any changes to official documents such as DD Form 4 or DD Form 1966s to authorize members a bonus.”  On 23 Jul 14, the applicant graduated and obtained the required training to be awarded AFSC 2A655.

On 6 Feb 18, the applicants reserve unit submitted his bonus application for approval and at this time it was denied by HQ ARPC.  The FY13 CSL was military base and skill level specific.  At the time of his enlistment his AFSC and Pascode of XX was not on the CSL.  However, on the FY14 CSL, his AFSC was listed as eligible.  Per Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2638 (2005), Air Force Reserve Enlisted Incentives para. “1.1.1., the member must enlist in an incentive approved AFSC on the date of enlistment.”  At the time of his enlistment he did not qualify for FY13 CSL and the FY14 CSL was not approved.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error or injustice to the applicant.

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 20 Aug 21 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 not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of ARPC/DPAT and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  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-2021-02239 in Executive Session on 6 Oct 21:

, 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 25 Jun 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, ARPC/DPAT, w/atchs, dated 19 Jul 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 20 Aug 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.