APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That he be given a Selected Reserve Incentive Program (SRIP) reenlistment bonus.

APPLICANT STATES:  Although his military occupational specialty (MOS) at the time of his reenlistment was authorized a bonus, he was told by his unit’s retention noncommissioned officer that he was not eligible for the bonus because he was an instructor.  In an effort to get a bonus he extended his enlistment and commenced looking for a unit which had a vacancy for his MOS and grade.  After 2 years of searching for a new unit without success, he was told that he had been eligible for a bonus as an instructor during the 2 years he had been looking for a new unit, but his MOS had then been removed from the SRIP list, making him ineligible for a bonus.

In support of his application he submits an endorsement from the 98th Division (Training) stating that he was misinformed that he was ineligible for a bonus, and a letter from the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel which stated that the applicant’s MOS was designated as eligible for a bonus from October 1991 to March 1993.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records
show:

He enlisted in the USAR on 11 February 1986 for 8 years, 6 years in a troop program unit and 2 in the USAR Control Group.  At that time he signed addendums for a $1,500.00 cash bonus and the Student Loan Repayment Program.

He was awarded the MOS of 62B, construction equipment repairer, was promoted to pay grade E-5, and was assigned to an instructor position which required a person in MOS 71L, administrative specialist.

On 7 February 1992 he extended his enlistment for 1 year, and again extended his enlistment for 1 year on 24 January 1993.  He reenlisted for 6 years in pay grade E-6, without a bonus, on 23 January 1994.

Army Regulation l35-7 authorizes SRIP bonuses for nonprior service USAR enlistees who either enlist or reenlist, as appropriate, in either a critical MOS or a critical unit, as designated by the Department of the Army, for at least 6 years.  Individuals who reenlist for a critical skill must have a valid position vacancy which requires the MOS authorized the SRIP, be MOS qualified for the position at the time of reenlistment, and be of the proper grade for the position.  

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record and applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  Although the applicant held an MOS approved for a SRIP bonus, he was not assigned to a position which required his MOS.

2.  As such, he was properly advised that he was not eligible to reenlist for a bonus as long as he was assigned as an instructor.

3.  It appears that the 98th Division’s endorsement implying that the applicant was eligible for a bonus was not taking into consideration that the applicant was not assigned to a duty position within his MOS.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT          

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




						Karl F. Schneider
						Acting Director