had engaged in racial

discrimination by failing to hire him in 1982. The Air Force rejected this renewed claim in January

1987, finding that it had fully complied with the terms of the 1984 settlement. Jackson appealed this

adverse decision to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Office of Review and Appeals

(EEOC/ORA), which, by action dated July 14, 1987, refused to reinstate the claim. Jackson filed suit

in federal court on August 17, 1987, seeking review of this claim. The district court dismissed,

however, because Jackson had failed to file suit within thirty days of the final administrative order as

required by title VII.

         Meanwhile, the investigation of Jackson's 1986 EEOC complaint, alleging discriminatory

termination and retaliatory discharge, continued apace.          In March 1988, the Investigator

recommended a finding that the Air Force had discharged Jackson in retaliation for his original EEOC

complaint and in violation of the prohibition against racial discrimination in employment. Pursuant

to this recommendation, the Air Force offered to reinstate Jackson as an Electronic Mechanic,

including, inter alia, full compensation of back pay and benefits. Jackson accepted this settlement

by letter on July 6, 1989, and the Air Force issued a Notice of Final Air Force Decision three days

later.

         Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Air Force awarded Jackson $48,629.38 in back pay

on November 30, 1989. Nevertheless, Jackson filed a new appeal with the EEOC/ORA on December

6, 1989, alleging that his new position was not the substantial equivalent of his