RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF: 	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-01618

  	COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES



APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His record be corrected to show he is eligible for an enlistment 
bonus, as of the date he earned his General Education 
Development (GED) certificate.  He also requests to remain part 
of the Air Force Reserve, contributing to the       Wing.


APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was told by his recruiter, and substantiated in writing on 
his enlistment contract, he qualifies for enlistment bonus [in 
the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 2A551, Aerospace Maintenance 
Apprentice] after completing basic training and technical 
training.  The AFI governing the bonus program (AFI 36-2638, Air 
Force Reserve Enlisted Incentives), does not state he must have 
a high school diploma (or equivalent) prior to signing an 
enlistment contract.  He further contends if he had known he was 
ineligible for a bonus, he would not have selected this 
particular specialty.

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A.


STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant currently serves in Air Force Reserve, in the 
grade of Senior Airman (E-4).

On 11 Feb 11, the applicant initially entered the Air Force 
Reserve.  His DD Form 1966, Record of Military Processing, 
Section III-Other Personal Data, block 22, indicates he did not 
graduate from high school.

His DD Form 1966, Section IV, Certification, block 32a., 
indicates his guaranteed specialty as “2A551 (Aerospace 
Maintenance Apprentice), bonus AFSC.”

On the DD Form 1966, Section VI-Remarks, both the applicant and 
recruiter signed the Enlisted Incentive eligibility and 
verification paragraphs, indicating the applicant meets the 
initial eligibility requirements (including being a high school 
graduate or equivalent) and was qualified for incentives listed 
for bonus AFSC 2A551.

On 27 Jan 12, the applicant completed Basic Military Training 
(BMT).

On 27 Apr 12, the applicant completed technical training, 
earning a 3 skill-level in AFSC 2A551.

On 10 Jul 12, according to information provided by the 
applicant, he earned his GED certificate.

On 11 Aug 13, the    IG inquired as to the circumstances of the 
applicant’s accession and how it could be possible that the 
applicant could have executed his enlistment agreement without a 
member of the recruiting staff verifying his eligibility to do 
so.

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.


AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFRC/A1K recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of 
an error or an injustice.  AFI 36-2638, Air Force Reserve 
Enlisted Incentives, states (para 1.7) the applicant must 
possess a General Education Development (GED) certificate in 
order to be eligible for a bonus, as well as (para 5.2.1) all 
eligibility criteria must be verified on the date of enlistment.  
Because the applicant did not possess a GED certificate on the 
date of enlistment, he is not eligible for an enlistment bonus.

A complete copy of the AFRC/A1K evaluation is at Exhibit C.


APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 4 Aug 14 for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit D).  As of this date, no response has been received by 
this office.


THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations.
2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice with respect 
to the applicant’s request to remain part of the Air Force 
Reserve.  According to information extracted from the Military 
Personnel Data System (MilPDS), it appears the applicant is 
currently serving satisfactorily in the Air Force Reserve in the 
grade of senior airman (E-4); therefore, no action by the Board 
is required.

4.  Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has 
been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or 
injustice with respect to the applicant’s request for an 
enlistment bonus.  The applicant contends that he was 
erroneously led to believe that he qualified for an enlistment 
bonus and, were it not for this erroneous information, he would 
not have enlisted in his chosen career field.  After a thorough 
review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete 
submission, we believe the applicant is the victim of an error 
or injustice.  While we note the comments of the Air Force 
office of primary responsibility indicating that relief should 
be denied because he was ineligible for an enlistment bonus 
because he did not have a General Education Development (GED) 
certificate, we believe a preponderance of the evidence 
substantiates that corrective action is warranted.  In this 
respect, we note the applicant has provided copies of his 
DD Form 1966, Record of Military Processing, dated 11 Feb 11, 
indicating the information he provided met initial eligibility 
qualifications, and his DD Form 1966 was subsequently verified 
by multiple recruiters, only to find out later that he was not 
qualified to serve in the bonus specialty.  Given these facts, 
we find it more likely than not the applicant would have made 
other enlistment decisions regarding his terms of service and/or 
specialty of choice had the recruiting staff appropriately 
advised him he was ineligible for the enlistment bonus he 
desired.  Therefore, in view of the fact the applicant has since 
completed requirements for his General Education Development 
(GED), thus nullifying the factor which disqualified him for the 
bonus he seeks in the first place, we believe it would be in the 
interest of justice to recommend the applicant’s records be 
corrected as indicated below.

5.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved.  
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered.





THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 
10 July 12, the applicant met all eligibility criteria for an 
enlistment incentive bonus for Aerospace Maintenance Apprentice 
(2A551) and competent authority approved his request to receive 
the bonus.


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2014-01618 in Executive Session on 28 Jan 15 under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Dec 13, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, AFRC/A1K, dated 19 May 14.
Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Aug 14.