2.  The applicant requests correction of his 4 January 1996 reenlistment contract to show that he reenlisted for a period of 4 years instead of 3 years.

3.  The applicant states that he reenlisted on 4 January 1996 for a period of 3 years and for an Army service school reenlistment option to attend language training.  Shortly thereafter, he was notified that he could not attend his language school unless he extended an additional 9 months to meet the service remaining requirement to attend the school. He goes on to state that had he known he required an additional 9 months to attend the school, he would have reenlisted for 4 years instead of 3 years in order to maximize his bonus entitlements.  In support of his application he submits a statement from his career counselor.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that after serving 3 years, 7 months, and 26 days of total active service, he reenlisted on 3 January 1996 for a period of 3 years under the Army service school reenlistment option (Arabic language school) in military occupational specialty 98G, with entitlement to a selective reenlistment bonus (SRB)-2A.

5.  On 6 February 1996 the applicant extended his enlistment for a period of 9 months in order to meet the service remaining requirement to attend the Arabic language course.

6.  The supporting statement submitted by the applicant from his career counselor indicates that the reenlistment counselor failed to check the service remaining requirements for attendance at the service school and thus failed to properly counsel the applicant on the minimum number of years required to reenlist for the school.

7.  In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM).  It opined that the career counselor failed to properly advise the applicant of the service remaining requirement for the language school and the benefit of maximizing his 

bonus entitlements.  The PERSCOM recommended that the applicant’s term of reenlistment be increased to 4 years and that he be authorized the additional bonus entitlements.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was properly reenlisted on 4 January 1996. However, he was not properly advised of the service remaining requirements for attendance at the language school and the benefits of maximizing his bonus entitlements. 

2.  Consequently, on 6 February 1996 (less than a month after his reenlistment) the applicant was required to extend his reenlistment period an additional 9 months in order to attend the school he had reenlisted for.  

3.  Had the applicant been properly advised of the aforementioned requirement, he could have reenlisted for a period of 4 years and would have received the additional bonus entitlements.  However, by virtue of extending his reenlistment, he was not entitled to receive any additional bonus entitlements.  

4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by amending the 4 January 1996 reenlistment contract of the individual concerned to reflect that he reenlisted for a period of 4 years instead of 3 years, and that his 6 February 1996 extension of 9 months be voided.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON