RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01047
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His record be corrected to reflect he transferred his Post-9/11
GI Bill benefits to his dependents.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
He retired effective 1 Nov 09, but was on terminal leave and
permissive temporary duty (TDY) during the period 5 Sep through
31 Oct 09. Because of the demands associated with turning over
his position to the incoming superintendent, planning his
retirement and career transition, and traveling to his
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) medical appointments, he
was not made aware that he had the option to transfer his
educational benefits to his dependents while he was still on
active duty.
In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active
Duty, AF Forms 988, Leave Request/Authorization, and retirement
orders.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
The applicants military personnel records indicate he served on
active duty from 17 Nov 86 though 31 Oct 09. On 1 Nov 09, he
was retired for length of service in the grade of senior master
sergeant (E-8) and was credited with 22 years, 11 months, and
14 days of total active service.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of
the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibits C.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AF/A1PA indicates that both the Department of Defense (DoD) and
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) widely publicized the Post-
9/11 GI Bill and the transferability feature. DoD developed a
special website, hosted by the Defense Manpower Data Center
(DMDC), to facilitate the transfer of education benefits (TEB).
The website was operational on 27 Jun 09 for the purpose of
accepting transfer of benefits applications. The published
guidance at the time indicated the transfer must be made while
the member is serving in the Armed Forces. The Air Force, in
implementing its guidance, developed a comprehensive
communication plan which included the use of internal media,
internal communication tools, and external trade publications.
There were various news articles about the program; most noted
the requirement to be on duty on the 1 Aug 09 effective date to
be eligible to transfer benefits. Notably, since 1 Aug 09, the
Air Force approved over 41,000 transferability applications.
Notwithstanding the above, the Board could find there was an
injustice if a member was on active duty on 1 Aug 09, but did
not receive counseling about the need to execute the TEB while
serving in the Armed Forces and did not have ready access to
published DoD and Air Force guidance at the time their terminal
leave began.
A complete copy of the AF/A1PA 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 6 May 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As
of this date, no response has been received by this office
(Exhibit D).
________________________________________________________________
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 error or injustice. While we
note the steps the Air Force office of primary responsibility
indicates were taken to inform eligible personnel of this new
benefit, it appears that through no fault of the applicant, he
was not timely made aware of his eligibility and the steps
necessary to transfer his benefits to his dependents. In
addition, we find no basis to question his account in this
matter and do not find it reasonable that he would have
knowingly elected not to pursue use of this important
entitlement. Therefore, we elect to resolve any doubt in this
matter in behalf of the applicant and recommend the records be
corrected as indicated below.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:
The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the
transfer of his Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits will be
executed in accordance with his expressed preferences contingent
upon the completion of the necessary paperwork within 30 days.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2011-01047 in Executive Session on 29 Jul 11, 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 Apr 11, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicants Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AF/A1PA, dated 27 Apr 11.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 6 May 11.
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00820
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00820 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect he transferred his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: The requirement to be on active duty to execute the transfer...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-01051
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01051 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01051 in Executive Session on 10...
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-01900
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AF/A1PA indicates that both the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) widely publicized the Post- 9/11 GI Bill and the transferability feature. ...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-01143
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01143 COUNSEL: NO HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-01143 in Executive Session on 10...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-01600
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01600 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her record be corrected to reflect she transferred her Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to her dependents. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is...
AF | BCMR | CY2010 | BC-2010-03994
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibits C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AF/A1PA indicates that both the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) widely publicized the Post- 9/11 GI Bill and the transferability feature. Notwithstanding the above, the Board could find there was...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00437
While we note the steps the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicates were taken to inform eligible personnel of this new benefit, it appears that through no fault of the applicant, he was not timely made aware of his eligibility and the steps necessary to transfer his benefits to his dependents. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00437 in Executive Session on 25 Aug 11,...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00674
Post-9/11 GI Bill: Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve (SelRes), officer or enlisted) on or after 1 Aug 09, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and: Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve a specified additional period in the Armed Forces from the date of election. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ USAF/A1PA makes no recommendation, but notes...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-01168
Post-9/11 GI Bill: Any member of the Armed Forces (active duty or Selected Reserve (SelRes), officer or enlisted) on or after 1 Aug 09, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and: Has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve a specified additional period in the Armed Forces from the date of election. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ USAF/A1PA states if the Board finds there...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-00640
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00640 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to apply to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents with an effective date of 12 Aug 09. Notwithstanding the above, the Board could find the applicant did not receive timely notification of the actions due for his...