2.  The applicant requests that his military records be corrected to show that he was enlisted in pay grade E-4 rather than pay grade E-3.

3.  He states that he was an E-4 when he was a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard which was reflected in his records, but when he enlisted in the Regular Army he was enlisted as an E-3.  He claims that his contract was changed because a wrong enlistment rule was applied to him.

4.  The applicant's military records show he enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years from the Oklahoma National Guard on 8 February 1996.  Prior to his enlistment, he had been promoted to E-4 (promotion order 5-1, dated 11 October 1995).

5.  In an advisory opinion to this Board, the US Total Army Personnel Command determined that the applicant had been enlisted in the proper grade (E-3); however, upon reconsideration it was determined that an incorrect US Army Recruiting Command message change to the regulation was cited which was not applicable to the applicant.  Therefore, the applicant could have been enlisted in the higher grade had he provided the proper documentation (the E-4 promotion order) at the time of his enlistment.

6.  Army Regulation 601-210, Regular Army and Army Reserve Enlistment program, provides in pertinent part that current or former members of a reserve component who have completed initial active duty for training and have been awarded a military occupational specialty and enlist within 12 months from the date released from active duty, the enlistment pay grade will be the grade held at the time of release from initial active duty for training.  It provides further that, unit commanders, upon verification that a soldier is authorized the advanced promotion will promote the soldier. The effective date and date of rank, will be the date the commander authorizes the promotion.




CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant has provided the proper documentation to support his enlistment in the grade of E-4 on 8 February 1996.  Accordingly, his grade and DOR should be adjusted to that date and he should be granted back-pay and allowances effective as of that date.

2.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

	a.  by showing that the individual concerned was enlisted in grade E-4 on 8 February 1996; and

	b.  by showing that he is authorized to receive any and all back-pay and allowances due him since 8 February 1996.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
					        CHAIRPERSON