ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 October 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190011288 APPLICANT REQUESTS: the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Selective Reserve Incentive Program (SRIP) bonus be applied to his record. APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * self-authored memorandum subject Award and Retroactive Payment of Officer Affiliation Bonus (OAB) * memorandum subject: Supporting Statement for the applicant regarding the OAB * self-authored email to his recruiter * request for conditional release from the Army National Guard (ARNG) * memorandum from Headquarters, United States Reserve Command requesting approval of an extension of the FY 2017 SRIP Policy Guidance * United States Army Reserve (USAR) policy regarding SRIP guidance FACTS: 1. The applicant states: * he transferred from the Inactive Ready Reserves into the USAR in 2017 * based on his branch of 90A and his tenure of less than 15 years of service, he qualified for the OAB of $10,000 for a 6 year contract * he asked his recruiter about the bonus and was told there wasn't one * upon his arrival at his new unit, he found out the recruiter lied to him and he was entitled to the bonus 2. In a self-authored memorandum to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR), dated 6 February 2018, the applicant states: * he respectfully requests retroactive payment of the OAB * he was previously assigned to the ARNG * he was referred to the USAR by Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) X X based on available vacancies in his career field * he also was referred based on the OAB for $10,000 for 3 years * LTC X had recently transferred from the ARNG and received the OAB * He inquired on the transfer with his recruiter * he sent an email to his recruiter on 6 September 2017 asking about he OAB * he did not receive an email response and contacted his recruiter by telephone on 7 September 2017 * per the telephone conversation, he was informed there were no bonuses available * after an arduous transfer involving several months of paperwork and follow-up, he was assigned to the USAR on 6 November 2017 * he was asked by LTC X X if he received an OAB * he then began his research to find there was a bonus available * he qualified for the bonus and was denied the opportunity to receive it by his recruiter * it is his opinion his recruiter was aware of the incentive and intentionally did not present the opportunity based on his own personal agenda or reasons * his recruiter was incompetent at his job and denied Soldiers' opportunities and incentives affecting the overall strength, retention, and recruiting goals of the US Army * according to SRIP Policy number 17-3 which was extended until the release of the FY 18 SRIP he was qualified for the OAB * the intent of the SRIP is to recruit and retain * he had no obligation to fulfill a critical vacant position * because the USAR has not implemented the incentive program appropriately, he can transition out at any time 3. The applicant provides a supporting statement from LTC X , stating he and the applicant were peers in the ARNG. He referred the applicant to the USAR based on open vacancies and the OAB in August 2017. He received the OAB upon joining the USAR and informed several of his peers of the great opportunity. 4. The applicant also provides the following documents for the Board's consideration: * an email to his recruiter, dated 6 September 2017, asking if there were any selective retention bonuses he could apply for * a DD Form 368 (Request for Conditional Release) from the ARNG to the USAR, dated 8 September 2017 * memorandum from Headquarters, United States Reserve Command requesting approval of an extension of the FY 2017 SRIP Policy Guidance * USAR Policy guidance for FY 17 SRIP until publication of FY 18 SRIP 5. The applicant's service records contain an NGB Form 22 (National Guard Report of Separation and Record of Service), which shows he was discharged from the ARNG and transferred to the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement) on 6 November 2017 as a Major/04\O4. His Primary Specialty Number at the time of his transfer was 90A. He had 12 years, 10 months and 6 days of total service for retirement and pay. 6. The applicant's service records contain a DA Form 67-10-2 (Field Grade Plate Officer Evaluation Report) for the period of 5 November 2107 through 4 November 2018 which shows he was in the USAR and assigned to a 90A position. 7. The USAR FY 17 (extended until publication of FY 18) SRIP Policy number 17-04 states: * the bonus is restricted to critical career field in grades O2 through O4 * transfer from another service component active or reserve * have fewer than 15 years of qualifying military service for retirement * officer must not have previous received an OAB in a reserve component * Soldiers incur a 3-year obligation term of service * Soldiers receive a lump sum payment of $10,000 paid upon assignment or upon award of duty qualifying military occupational specialty, whichever is later * the job specialty of 90A is listed as a 6 year $10,000 OAB * AC/AGR-to-TPU and AC-to-IRR-to TPU transfers may be eligible for the bonus * prior SELRES ARNG or USAR Officers must have transferred to the IRR and remained there for 12 months in order to be eligible for the bonus. 8. The applicant's service records are void of evidence he received a previous OAB or enlisted bonus while serving in the military. There is no evidence in his records of his contract with the USAR or how many years his appointment is for. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s statement, the supporting statements he provided, the SRIP, his immediate transfer from the ARNG to USAR and the absence of his appointment documents when he entered the USAR. Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board found that there was insufficient evidence to determine the applicant’s eligibility for the OAB and to support granting the requested relief. 2. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was not warranted. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING :X :X :X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. 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.? REFERENCE: United States Army Reserve Policy subject: Change 3 to USAR FY 17 SRIP Policy Guidance from 15 September 2017 until publication of the FY 18 SRIP, provides recruiting and retention incentives to assist in filling critical shortages. Incentives are implemented in those situations where other less costly methods have proven inadequate in supporting unit and occupational skill staffing requirements. It states, * the OAB is restricted to critical career field in grades O2 through O4 * a Soldier is eligible if they transfer from another service component active or reserve * have fewer than 15 years of qualifying military service for retirement * officer must not have previous received an OAB in a reserve component * Soldiers incur a 3-year obligation term of service * Soldiers receive a lump sum payment of $10,000 paid upon assignment or upon award of duty qualifying military occupational specialty, whichever is later * the job specialty of 90A is listed as a 6 year $10,000 OAB //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190011288 2