RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2003-02798
INDEX CODE: 128.14
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
She be reimbursed for the amount of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance
(SGLI) deducted from her pay.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
On 3 March 2001, her son was killed in a plane accident and she is still
fighting for his SGLI coverage.
Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.
_________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicant contracted her last enlistment in the Air Force Reserve on 21
May 1998. On 1 November 2002, the applicant honorably retired in the grade
of master sergeant.
On 1 November 2000, the President signed into law approving Public Law 106-
419, Section 312, raising the amount of coverage under SGLI from $200,000
to $250,000. Under the provisions of this law, every eligible
participating member of the Armed Forces was automatically covered,
regardless of any prior election. The provision also stated that, within
the month of April 2001, any member could elect to withdraw or reduce their
coverage without being charged $20 per month for the maximum coverage of
$250,000.
There is no evidence in the applicant’s military personnel records
indicating she declined SGLI coverage during April 2001.
_________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
ARPC/DPS recommended denial, indicating Headquarters, Air Reserve Personnel
Center (ARPC) mailed a letter to all Individual Mobilization Augmentees
(IMAs) at their home address advertising the change to the program
extensively. An article was included in the January/February 2001 issue of
the Air Reserve Personnel Update and again in the May/June 2001 issue. In
addition, information was posted on the “Above & Beyond” ARPC website. The
applicant states she was not in the right state of mind after her son’s
death and had not paid attention to the SGLI changes. They sympathize with
the applicant; however, they do not believe an injustice has occurred. She
failed to decline SGLI coverage prior to her effective retirement date of 1
November 2002.
If the decision is to grant the relief sought, the applicant’s record
should be corrected to show she elected to withdraw SGLI coverage effective
1 April 2001 and the debt of $380.00 be removed from the applicant’s
record.
The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
_________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 16 January 2004, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the
applicant for review and response within 30 days. 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the
existence of an injustice. The applicant states after her son was killed
in an airplane crash on 3 March 2001, she was not in her right mind and did
not pay attention to her SGLI charges. It is reasonable to understand,
given the situation of her son’s untimely death, why the applicant did not
complete the proper forms declining SGLI coverage before 1 April 2001. It
is apparent she was clearly preoccupied by other pressing matters
concerning her son’s death. In view of the totality of these unfortunate
circumstances and in consideration of the applicant’s grievous state of
mind during this time period, we recommend her records be corrected to the
extent indicated below.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating
to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 1 April 2001, she executed an
SGLV Form 8286, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Election
Certificate, declining any and all coverage, effective 1 April 2001.
_________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-
02798 in Executive Session on 20 April 2004, under the provisions of AFI 36-
2603:
Mr. Joseph G. Diamond, Panel Chair
Mr. Jackson A. Hauslein, Member
Mr. Edward H. Parker, Member
All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following
documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 July 2003, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Letter, HQ ARPC/DPS, dated 13 January 2004,
w/atchs.
Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 January 2004.
JOSEPH G. DIAMOND
Panel Chair
AFBCMR BC-2003-02798
MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF
Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force
Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section
1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force
relating to , be corrected to show that on 1 April 2001, she executed an
SGLV Form 8286, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) Election
Certificate, declining any and all coverage, effective 1 April 2001.
JOE G. LINEBERGER
Director
Air Force Review Boards Agency
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