IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 August 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230001249 APPLICANT REQUESTS: payment of Reenlistment/Extension Bonus (REB). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DA Form 4836 (Oath of Extension of Enlistment or Reenlistment), 15 December 2015 * National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 590 (Statement of Understanding of Reserve Obligation and Responsibilities), 15 December 2015 * NGB 600-7-3-R-E (Annex R to DD Form 4 or DA Form 4836 REB Addendum), 15 December 2015 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states that he reenlisted in 2015 with entitlement to the REB incentive. He contests that he never received payment of this bonus and the individual that processed his paperwork has retired. He notes that his bonus contract does not contain a bonus control number and his unit has done nothing to address his concerns. 3. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 16 December 2010, the applicant enlisted in the Army National Guard for 8 years (6x2) to serve as an 88N (Traffic Management Coordinator). b. On 19 July 2011, Joint Force Headquarters Virgin Islands issued Orders Number 200-506 awarding the 88N Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) to the applicant, effective 13 May 2011. c. On 15 December 2015, the applicant elected to extend his current enlistment by 6 years resulting in a 15 December 2022 Expiration Term of Service (ETS). In conjunction with this extension, the applicant elected to receive a $12,000.00 REB to be paid in two installments: 50 percent at the completion of his current ETS, verification of his MOS and unit of assignment qualification, 50 percent on the 4th year anniversary of his REB contract start date provided payment 1 has been processed. The NGB Form 600-7-3-R-E completed in conjunction with this extension is void of a bonus control number. d. On 17 March 2022, the applicant elected to extend his current enlistment by 6 years resulting in a 15 December 2028, ETS date. 4. The applicant provides an NGB Form 590 dated 15 December 2015, acknowledging his Reserve obligation associated with his election to extend his current enlistment. 5. On 22 May 2023, the NGB, Chief, Special Actions Branch, provided an advisory opinion recommending approval of the applicant's request noting the applicant never received payment of his REB that was due on 16 December 2017. Upon review of his records, they were unable to find any irregularities that would have prevented his payment. The applicant's records show that he signed his REB paperwork on 15 December 2015, for a 6-year extension with an entitlement of $12,000.00. The contract was never assigned a control number and uploaded into the Guard Incentive Management System (GIMS). In fact, there is no record of his REB in GIMS until 2023 when the unit was notified of this ABCMR case and submitted a manual contraction transition. 6. On 22 May 2023, the applicant was provided with a copy of the advisory opinion and afforded 14 days to provide comments. As of 19 July 2023, the applicant has not responded. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance. Evidence of record shows that the applicant extended his reenlistment through December 2028. Further, supporting documentation shows that he signed a properly completed and processed REB. However, through no fault of the applicant, the contract was never assigned a control number and uploaded into the Guard Incentive Management System until the applicant s unit was informed of the applicant s case. Based on the documentation available for review, the Board determined the evidence presented sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :xx :xx :xx 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 payment of his Reenlistment Bonus, the exact amount of which to be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Services. 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. Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Reserve Fiscal Year 2016 (FY16) Selected Reserve Incentive Programs (SRIP) Policy Guidance from 1 October 2015 through 30 September 2016 provides that the REB is processed in 2 installments: 50 percent on the contract start date provided the Soldier is assigned to the appropriate MOS and 50 percent on the 4-year anniversary of the contract start date provided the Soldier is assigned to the same MOS. 3. Department of Defense Instruction 1205.21 (Reserve Component Incentive Programs Procedures), currently in effect, requires each recipient of an incentive to sign a written agreement stating the member has been advised of, and understands the conditions under which continued entitlement to unpaid incentive amounts shall be terminated and which advance payments may be recouped. The agreement must clearly specify the terms of the Reserve Service commitment that authorizes the payment of the incentive. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230001249 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1