DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
Application for the Correction of
the Coast Guard Record of:
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
FINAL DECISION
BCMR Docket No. 2010-050
SUMMARY OF THE RECORD
The applicant asked to be paid a $6,000 Selected Reserve (SELRES) enlistment bonus
that she was promised for her 6-year enlistment on August 7, 2007. The promise of the bonus is
documented in her record on a Page 7 and a Record of Military Processing, both dated July 19,
2007. However, she never received the bonus. The Page 7 cites ALCOAST 056/06, which
authorized bonuses for recruits who agreed to train and serve as marine science technicians
(MSTs). ALCOAST 056/06 was canceled in March 2007 by ALCOAST 064/07, which did not
authorize any bonuses for recruits entering the MST rating. Under both ALCOASTs, enlistment
bonuses were paid in halves, with half due upon completion of “A” School and half due a year
later if the participation standards in Chapter 4 of the Reserve Policy Manual had been met. The
applicant completed MST “A” School on March 21, 2008.
The Judge Advocate General of the Coast Guard recommended that the Board grant relief
because the record supports the applicant’s allegation.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
The applicant has proved by a preponderance of the evidence that she was erroneously
promised a $6,000 bonus for her 6-year SELRES enlistment. The Page 7 dated July 19, 2007,
shows that in promising her the bonus, her recruiter relied on an ALCOAST that was no longer
in effect. As a potential recruit, the applicant had no way to know that ALCOAST 056/06 had
been canceled, and she should have been able to rely on her recruiter. Therefore, the Board finds
that the recruiter’s promise should be kept, and the applicant should be paid the enlistment bonus
in accordance with the payment terms of the ALCOASTs.
[ORDER AND SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE]
ORDER
The military record of MST3 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, USCGR, shall be
corrected to show that her August 7, 2007, enlistment made her eligible for a $6,000 SELRES
enlistment bonus. The Coast Guard shall pay her half the bonus ($3,000) because she has
already completed MST “A” School. In addition, if she met the participation standards in
Chapter 4 of the Reserve Policy Manual during the year following her completion of MST “A”
School, the Coast Guard shall pay her the second half of the bonus.
September 9, 2010
Date
Evan R. Franke
Vicki J. Ray
Janice Williams-Jones
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2008-078
1999-027, the applicant had been promised a Reserve enlistment bonus by her recruiter. 2005-117, the applicant stated that he was promised a $4000 SELRES enlistment bonus by his recruiter. In addition, if he meets or has met the participation standards under Chapter 4 of the Reserve Policy Manual during the year following his completion of MST “A” School, his record shall be corrected to show that he is eligible for and entitled to the second half of the $5,000 SELRES enlistment bonus he...
1999-027, the applicant had been promised a Reserve enlistment bonus by her recruiter. 2005-117, the applicant stated that he was promised a $4000 SELRES enlistment bonus by his recruiter. In addition, if he meets or has met the participation standards under Chapter 4 of the Reserve Policy Manual during the year following his completion of MST “A” School, his record shall be corrected to show that he is eligible for and entitled to the second half of the $5,000 SELRES enlistment bonus he...
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2008-048
In support of his allegations, the applicant submitted a copy of a CG-3307 (“Page 7”), which was signed by him and his recruiter on the day he enlisted, May 25, 2007, and which states the following: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS Application for the Correction of the Coast Guard Record of: BCMR Docket No. SELRES Enlistment Bonus. SELRES Enlistment Bonus.
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2007-214
The JAG admitted the record “does document that Applicant was advised in an Enlistment Package Check-Off List for a $6,000 enlistment bonus, in a Reservation Request for a $6,000 enlistment bonus, and in an Administrative Remarks (CG-3307) dated 08 March 2007, that he was eligible for a $6,000 SELRES enlistment bonus based upon ALCOAST 056/06.” The JAG stated that under ALCOAST 056/06, only members enlisting in a critical rating were eligible for the bonus, and PS3 was not cited as a...
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2008-196
The JAG noted that under ALCOAST 064/07, the applicant was not entitled to an enlistment bonus because he had previously served in the military, and ALCOAST 064/07 states that bonuses were not available to enlistees with prior military service. 2005-117, the applicant stated that he was promised a $4,000 SELRES enlistment bonus by his recruiter. In addition, if he meets or has met the participation standards under Chapter 4 of the Reserve Policy Manual during the year following his...
The military record submitted by the Coast Guard does not contain either the Page 7 with the promise of the $6,000 enlistment bonus or his SELRES enlistment contract. 1999-027, the applicant had been promised a Reserve enlistment bonus by her recruiter. In addition, if he meets or has met the participation standards under Chapter 4 of the Reserve Policy Manual during the year following his completion of MST “A” School, his record shall be corrected to show that he is eligible for and...
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2008-005
1999-027, the applicant had been promised a Reserve enlistment bonus by her recruiter. Although the JAG rec- ommended only that the Board make the contract voidable, the Board granted relief, finding that the recruiter had promised the applicant the bonus as an enticement to enlist and that, “whenever reasonable, such promises should be kept, especially when the member relies on the erroneous advice and gives due consideration for the promised benefit.” In BCMR Docket No. Although the...
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2007-151
2007-119, the applicant had been promised a $4000 SELRES bonus for enlisting in the BM rating. The Board finds that the Coast Guard committed an error when the applicant’s recruiter promised him in writing that he would receive a $4000 SELRES bonus for signing a six-year enlistment contract on April 4, 2006. The Page 7 signed by the recruiter and the applicant on April 3, 2006, clearly states that the applicant is eligible to receive a $4000 SELRES bonus.
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2009-188
1 COMDTINST 7220.1 states that a SELRES enlistment bonus will be recouped if a member enlists on active duty. APPLICABLE REGULATIONS ALCOAST 056/06 authorizes an enlistment bonus of $6,000 for members enlisting in the SELRES for at least six years. When the applicant was counseled about her SELRES enlistment bonus on May 15, 2007, she acknowledged having read and fully understood COMDTINST 7220.1, which clearly states that SELRES enlistment bonuses are subject to recoupment if the...
CG | BCMR | Other Cases | 2007-207
2005-117, the applicant stated that he was promised a $4000 SELRES enlistment bonus by his recruiter. Section B of the applicant’s enlistment contract incorporates the Page 7 documenting his eligibility for a $6,000 SELRES bonus. However, the applicant’s recruiter promised him the $6,000 bonus for enlisting, and the applicant has already given consideration on the contract by enlisting in the SELRES.