RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01165 

 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He receive compensation for his personally procured move (PPM) 
from Hawaii to Texas based on the rates he was quoted using the 
Transportation Operational Personal Property Standard (TOPS) 
system rather than those authorized by the Defense Personal 
Property System (DPS). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He would not have agreed to a PPM that provided no incentive 
payment and resulted in excess cost. 

 

The change from TOPS to DPS significantly reduced rates for PPMs 
between Hawaii and the CONUS. The Hickam Traffic Management 
Office (TMO) used the legacy TOPS to provide the compensation 
estimate instead of DPS, as directed by the AF Personal Property 
Agency (PPA) HQ Advisory and the new Joint Federal Travel 
Regulation (JFTR) and AF supplement language. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides personal 
statements, copies of his receipts, and a letter of support from 
the commander of his base. 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 14 Apr 10, the AF PPA HQ directed use of the new PPM module 
featured in the 1 Apr 10 release of DPS, effective on 15 Apr 10. 
This included changes to the JFTR, and execution of the “Best 
Value” methodology, significantly reducing the rates for PPMs 
between Hawaii and the CONUS. The Hickam AFB TMO erroneously 
extended use the legacy TOPS to provide compensation estimates 
instead of DPS as required by AF PPA HQ. 

 

 


Change 283 to the JFTR required that, effective 1 Apr 10, the 
Government Constructed Cost (GCC) used in determining the 
incentive payments in PPMs be based upon “best value” charges 
versus the “low cost” charges. The applicant’s incentive under 
DPS was 95 percent of the GCC. PPA HQ sent an advisory to the 
field requiring all AF PPMs processed in TOPS prior to 15 Apr 10 
be closed out in TOPS, and all PPMs processed on 15 Apr 10 or 
later be processed in DPS. 

 

The applicant’s PPM was initiated on 16 Apr 10 via a DD Form 2278, Application for Do-It-Yourself Move and Counseling Checklist. 

 

The applicant’s original estimate was calculated under TOPS and 
resulted in an estimated incentive payment of $20,957.76 and an 
advance operating allowance of $13,236.48. 

 

When the PPM was re-calculated under DPS, the applicant’s 
incentive payment was reduced to $12,191.79. Since he had already 
received an operating allowance of $13,236.48, he received a bill 
for $1,044.69, the difference between the authorized incentive 
payment (less tax withholding), and the operating allowance 
previously received. 

 

The applicant applied for remission of the debt and the 
application was approved. 

 

The evidence of record indicates the applicant incurred $14,738.15 
in actual expenses related to his move. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

PPA HQ/DD recommends that partial relief be granted, indicating 
the applicant should be reimbursed for his out-of-pocket expenses 
of $2,546.36 arising from the failure of the Hickam AFB TMF 
failure to timely implement changes requiring that Government 
Constructed Cost (GCC) used in determining incentive payments in 
PPMs be based upon “best value” charges, rather than “low cost” 
charges. As a result, the applicant incurred a debt to the 
government and out-of-pocket expenses in excess of his adjusted 
operating cost. While the debt to the government was eventually 
remitted, he still had a remaining out-of-pocket expense of 
$2,546.36. As for the applicant’s request for full compensation 
of his GCC ($20,957.76) based on the TOPS calculation, Federal law 
explicitly prohibits the Department from paying any member under 
this program more that it would have cost the Government to ship 
their HHG. At the time the applicant’s shipment was processed, 
the GCC was based upon the “best value” rates reflected in DPS. 

 

DD’s complete 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 29 Jul 11 for review and comment 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 error or injustice warranting 
corrective action. We took notice of the applicant’s complete 
submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the 
determination of the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
the applicant should be reimbursed for his out-of-pocket expenses 
related to his personally procured move (PPM). While it is 
regrettable the applicant did not receive the incentive payment 
expected, we believe the appropriate relief is to reimburse the 
applicant for his out-of-pocket expenses. The Board has reviewed 
a number of these cases and notes this recommended relief is 
consistent with relief grated by the Board to others similarly 
situated. That is, while an error was made, the Board does not 
believe it to be in the interest of justice to correct a record 
contrary to provisions of law. We note the Air Force remitted 
the debts in cases where the member received an advance greater 
than that authorized, providing those members a de facto 
incentive when their expenses were less than this amount. While 
the applicant’s circumstance appears different in that he had 
expenses greater than his advance, we believe the only relief 
that should be granted by the Board is to compensate him for his 
out of pocket expenses. In reviewing the advisory from PPA 
HQ/DD, it appears their computation of the applicant’s out of 
pocket expenses may be incorrect. We believe the applicant 
should be compensated for the total amount of expenses he 
incurred, listed as $14,738.15 in the advisory, minus the total 
compensation he received, $13,236.48. Therefore, we recommend 
the applicant’s 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 under 
competent authority, government procured transportation was not 
available and, in accordance with Joint Federal Travel Regulations 


(JFTR), Volume 1, paragraph U5320-D.1, he was authorized 
reimbursement for expenses incurred in the amount of $1,501.67. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2011-01165 in Executive Session on 14 November 2011, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 Vice Chair 

 Member 

 Member 

 

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

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 24 Mar 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, PPA HQ/DD, dated 20 Jul 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Jul 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Vice Chair 

 


 

 

 

AFBCMR BC-2011-01165 

 

 

 

 

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 

Applicant, be corrected to show that under competent authority, government procured 
transportation was not available and, in accordance with Joint Federal Travel Regulations (JFTR), 
Volume 1, paragraph U5320-D.1, he was authorized reimbursement for expenses incurred in the 
amount of $ 1,501.67. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency