APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That he be paid either an enlistment or reenlistment bonus for his 7 January 1988 enlistment. 

APPLICANT STATES:  That he was informed at the time of his enlistment on 7 January 1988 that he was not entitled to any type of bonus.  However, since his enlistment he has talked to other soldiers with similar circumstances and was informed that he may be entitled to receive a bonus. 

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

The applicant’s military records show that the applicant initially enlisted on 27 January 1983 and served until he was honorably released from active duty in the pay grade of E-4 on his scheduled expiration of term of service of 26 January 1987.

On 7 January 1988 the applicant again enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 4 years.  His enlistment contract contains no authorization for a bonus of any type.

In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM) which opined that enlistment bonuses are not paid to prior service personnel and that there were no reenlistment bonuses authorized for the applicant’s MOS at the time the applicant enlisted.

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

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.



2.  The applicant was considered a prior service enlistee at the time he enlisted on 7 January 1988 and as such was not entitled to enlist under the Army Cash Bonus Enlistment Option.

3.  Notwithstanding the fact that the applicant did not qualify for a reenlistment bonus at the time he enlisted on 7 January 1988, there was no reenlistment bonus offered for his MOS at the time he enlisted.

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