RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-02729

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
 	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

She be allowed to enroll into and receive the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP).

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

She asked her recruiter if she qualified for the SLRP.  The recruiter responded with yes.  He did not communicate the conditions required to accept the SLRP or what needed to be documented in her recruitment paperwork.  After basic military training, when she was on active orders for technical training, she visited the Education Office.  She inquired about the SLRP and was informed it no longer existed.  She was not notified of the programs end and did not pursue the matter further.

Recently she found SLRP was still an existing program through her local Education Office.  The office assisted her in verifying if she had signed up for the program.  She was told there should have been either an accept or deny decree in her records and found that there was no mention of SLRP in her records.  Her recruiter never gave her the opportunity to accept the program even though he marked that she had 60+ hours of college credit.  She is trying to correct her records that stems from a lack of information and communication. 

In support of her appeal, the applicant provides copies of her tax statements, college degree, and DD Form 1966, Record of Military Processing – Armed Forces of the United States.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

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

According to the applicants Report on Individual Personnel (RIP) her Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) is 3E951, Emergency Management.

On 15 Oct 09, according to DD Form 4, Enlistment/Reenlistment Document Armed Forces of the United States, shows that the applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserve for a period of six years in the pay grade of airman first class (E-3).  

On 8 Jul 15, according to DD Form 4, the applicant reenlisted in the Air Force Reserve for a period of six years in the grade of senior airman (E-4).  

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.  The applicant entered into the Reserve on 15 Oct 09 and did not elect for the SLRP incentive.  The applicant did complete six satisfactory years following her enlistment, which would have allowed for use of the SLRP, however, they did not serve in a critical AFSC.  The applicant’s AFSC is 3E951, which has not been on the critical skills listing for at least the past five years.  Additionally, the applicant was assigned to XXXX AFB with an MPF ID of XX during her enlistment.  The combination of the applicant’s AFSC and MPF ID were not identified as a critical skill according to the AFRC FY10 critical skills listing.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error or injustice.

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 28 Sep 21 for comment     (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 23 Oct 21.  In her response, the applicant contended she does not agree with the advisory decision.  She states, the day she went into the recruiting office there was a poster that said we help repay student loans.  This was the first question she asked the recruiter to verify if it was still valid and if she qualified, he responded with yes.  There was nothing on the poster stating it was only for select AFSC's (critical skill listing) nor did the recruiter tell her.  If that was a stipulation, she would have made sure to sign up for one of those specific AFSC's.  The advisory states, she did not elect to sign up for the SLRP.  She states this is not true as she wasn't given the chance to accept or deny it.  She was unaware there was separate paperwork for it.  She was under the impression that as long as she enlisted at that time she would automatically receive it.  Due to her recruiter not being competent, she does not think she should be denied the correction to allow her to receive the SLRP.  She attached her personal statement, she previously turned in.  She was unsure if it was included, when it said supplemental documents in the advisory letter.  She believes she is entitled to the SLRP and has provided evidence.  The Board should elect to grant her request due to the circumstances.

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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, to include the applicant’s rebuttal response, 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. The Board notes the applicant contends she was under the impression that her enlistment would automatically qualify her for SLRP and the recruiter did not inform her of any qualifying AFSCs.  In this respect, the SLRP is a well-publicized program and the applicant has presented no evidence the Air Force prevented her from verifying and securing this benefit when she could have done so.  Moreover, the applicant did not serve in a critical AFSC eligible for SLRP.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

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 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-2021-02729 in Executive Session on 30 Nov 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 27 Jul 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, ARPC/DPAT, w/atchs, dated 1 Sep 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 28 Sep 21.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s Response, w/atch, dated 23 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.