RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2022-01291

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Approval of his Air Force Reenlistment Bonus.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

His unit was running a split Unit Training Assembly (UTA) Schedule with an “A” UTA and a “B” UTA, with scheduled dates that were six weeks apart.  Due to the structure of these UTA periods, he was not able to reenlist within the 30-day window required for his enlistment bonus.  As a Reserve member, he is simply told to reenlist a month/UTA prior to his expiration term of service (ETS) date.  There should be more training and communication regarding bonuses and the requirements to reenlist within a 30-day window.  Furthermore, he was never informed there was a 30-day window and had he been informed he would have made the necessary accommodation to reenlist within that window.  He did not discover this error until eight months later when he received an e-mail denying him his bonus. 

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 14 August 2015, 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 six years and was given an ETS date of 13 August 2021.

According to the applicant’s Report on Individual Personnel, the applicant is assigned to the XXX and continues to hold Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 2T2X1, Air Transportation.

On 2 October 2020, the Air Force Reserve FY21 Officer and Enlisted Bonus Incentive Guide was released and announced the AFSCs eligible for a bonus incentive.  According to the guide, service members holding the AFSC of 2T2X1 and assigned to the XXX were among those eligible for the incentive.  

On 11 July 2021, according to DD Form 4, the applicant reenlisted in the Air Force Reserve for a period of six years.

On 28 January 2022, according to a myPers thread, provided by the applicant, a Special Pay and Incentive Bonus package was submitted to ARPC/DPAA and on 3 March 2022, the incentive application was returned without action, because the applicant had reenlisted more then 30 days prior to his ETS.  

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.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error or injustice.  In addition, there is no evidence that the applicant attempted to apply for an Exception to Policy (ETP) with the MAJCOM/CC or equivalent.

On 14 August 2015, the applicant entered the Air Force Reserve and received a Non-Prior Service contract.  On 28 January 2022, the Wing Career Assistance Advisor submitted the applicant’s Reenlistment Incentive Application.  On 3 March 2022, the Reenlistment Incentive application was reviewed and denied because the applicant reenlisted more than 30 days prior to his ETS.  Per Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-3012, Military Entitlements, paragraph 5.4.4.1., a member must reenlist within six months of their current ETS when not currently receiving an incentive or within 30 days from their current ETS when currently receiving an incentive.  The Waiver Authority for an ETP is the MAJCOM/CC and delegable no lower than the first general officer in the chain of command.

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 30 August 2022 for comment (Exhibit D).  The applicant replied on 10 September 2022, indicating as a member of the Air Force Reserve, there is a UTA schedule that dictates the days and times one is to work.  It was impossible for him to reenlist within the 30-day period per the AFI.  His UTA was on 11 July and 28 August.  With his enlistment day being on 14 August, he was unable to reenlist during the week.  The career advisor who disseminates this information and is supposed to be the subject matter expert in this field never informed him of the requirements regarding reenlisting while currently receiving a bonus.  

The 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, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  According to AFI 36-3012, the applicant did not reenlist within the 30-day window required to receive a reenlistment bonus, nor was there evidence he attempted to apply for an ETP.  Therefore, 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.  Should the applicant provide supporting documentation, such as a letter from his commander or career-field manager verifying he was miscounseled or not given the opportunity to reenlist within the 30-day window due to the UTA schedule, the Board would be willing to reconsider his request.  Accordingly, 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-2022-01291 in Executive Session on 20 October 2022:

, 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 21 April 2022.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, ARPC/DPAT, w/atchs, dated 5 July 2022.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 30 August 2022.
Exhibit E:  Applicant’s Response, dated 10 September 2022.

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.