ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 December 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170003362 APPLICANT REQUESTS: to receive the $10,000 Prior Service Enlistment Bonus (PSEB) incentive payment for enlisting in the Colorado Army National Guard (COARNG). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Self-Authored Statement FACTS: 1. The applicant states in 2015, she reenlisted in the ARNG and was promised a $10,000 PSEB. She was informed she would receive half of the bonus upon completion of her first drill and the remaining portion of the bonus after her fourth year anniversary with the ARNG. Upon completion of her first drill, the unit administrator attempted to process the bonus request in the Guard Incentive Management System (GIMS) however, the bonus no longer appeared. The COARNG incentive manager contacted the National Guard Bureau (NGB) and was informed the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) used the incorrect bonus addendum thus deeming the reenlistment invalid. She requested an exception to policy (ETP) to change the bonus type and it was approved. However, the vacancy Score/Tier Level (Tier 7) she reenlisted under was no longer eligible for a bonus. She believes she met the requirements set for her reenlistment but had yet to be paid the bonus entitlement. 2. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. She enlisted in the Louisiana ARNG (LAARNG) on 31 March 2006 in the rank and grade of private first class (PFC/E3 for 8 years. b. She entered active duty for training on 6 June 2007. Upon completion, on 8 August 2007, she was honorably released and returned to her unit. Her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows she completed 2 months and 3 days of net active service. c. Her DD Form 4 (Enlistment/Reenlistment Document – Armed Forces of the United States) shows she reenlisted in the COARNG on 30 November 2015 in the rank and grade of specialist (SPC)/E4 for 6 years. d. According to the ARNG Enlistment/Reenlistment Agreement Service Requirements and Methods of Fulfillment, dated, 30 November 2015, she reenlisted as a prior service member, 92Y (Unit Supply Specialist) and was currently not a member of the ARNG. The applicant and service representative authenticated this Annex with their signature e. Per Annex B to DD Form 4 – Enlisted Affiliation Bonus (EAB) Addendum ARNG, dated 30 November 2015, she affiliated into a qualifying, top loaded Automated Unit Vacancy System (AUVS) vacancy in a Modified Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE). Also, as a Duty Military Occupational Specialty Qualified (DMOSQ) 92Y (Unit Supply Specialist) she would receive an EAB in the amount of $10,000 (Tier Level 1-5). The first installment of the bonus is 50% and would be processed within 180 days of reporting to her unit. The second installment is the final installment, 50% would be processed within 180 days after the 4th anniversary. The applicant and service representative authenticated this Annex with their signature. 3. On 29 January 2018, the NGB approved her exception to policy request to retain the $10,000 PSEB. An NGB official referenced ARNG Selective Reserve Incentive Programs (SRIP) Policy for Fiscal Year (FY) 16-01 and stated: a. The applicant contracted and signed for the EAB addendum in the amount of $10,000. The correct options was the Prior Service (PS) Bonus but the correct bonus control number has been requested for the correct PS bonus type. b. A review of the reenlistment documents supports an incentive being offered at the time of agreement/contract. The applicant accepted an incentive in good faith and has otherwise fulfilled the obligations under the contract. Therefore withholding payment of this incentive would be against equity, good conscience and contrary to the best interest of the Army. [Applicant] is authorized $10,000 which is the amount she contracted for. 4. By guidance, SRIP 16-01, PSEB states: * a receipt must enlist for 3 or 6 years * a recipient must enlist into a qualifying valid AUVS position in the Request system in an MTE unit * a recipient must enlist through MEPs with a Request/GIMS generated bonus addendum BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, to include the DoD guidance on liberal consideration when reviewing discharge upgrade requests, the Board found relief was warranted. Based upon the finding of the NGB advisory opinion, the Board concluded that the requested relief was warranted. Additionally, based upon a documentary review of the applicant’s military record, the Board concluded that the applicant completed a period of active duty while conducting initial entry training (IET). She was awarded a MOS at the completion of IET and was transferred back to the ARNG. Army Regulation 635-200 provides that when a RC Soldier successfully completes IADT, the character of service is Honorable unless directed otherwise by the separation authority. Based upon regulatory guidance, the Board agreed the DD Form 214 should show her character of service as Honorable. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 X X X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by allowing the applicant to retain her eligibility to receive the $10,000 Prior Service Enlistment Bonus (PSEB) incentive payment for enlisting in the Colorado Army National Guard (COARNG). Additionally, the Board determined additional evidence presented was sufficient to warrant additional relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by reissuing the applicant a DD Form 214 showing her characterization of service as Honorable. X CHAIRPERSON Signed by: I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. REFERENCES: 1. By guidance, Selected Reserve Incentive Program 16-01, PSEB states: * a receipt must enlist for 3 or 6 years * a recipient must enlist into a qualifying valid AUVS position in the Request system in an MTE unit * a recipient must enlist through MEPs with a Request/GIMS generated bonus addendum NOTHING FOLLOWS