RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01517 

 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He receive the compensation for his personally procured move (PPM) 
from Hawaii to Florida that he was quoted using rates calculated 
under 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 TMF used the legacy TOPS 
to provide the applicant’s compensation estimate instead of DPS, 
as directed by the AF Personal Property Agency (PPA) HQ Advisory 
that transmitted the change and 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 recommending the AFBCMR grant his 
request for the compensation he contracted for. 

 

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 CONUS. The Hickam AFB TMO erroneously extended 
use of 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. 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 15 Apr 10 or later 
be processed in DPS. 

 

The applicant’s PPM was initiated on 14 Apr 10 via DD Form 2278, Application for Do-It-Yourself Move and Counseling Checklist, 
thereby requiring the re-calculation of his PPM from the TOPS 
estimate to the DPS estimate. 

 

The applicant’s original estimate was calculated under TOPS and 
resulted in an estimated incentive payment of $27,077.28 and an 
advance operating allowance of $17,101.44. 

 

When the PPM was re-calculated under the required DPS, the 
applicant’s incentive payment was reduced to $15,773.80. Since he 
had already received an operating allowance of $17,101.44, he 
received a bill for $1,327.64, the difference between the 
authorized incentive payment, 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 $18,677.20 
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 $2,943.40 arising from the failure of the Hickam AFB TMF to 
timely implement changes requiring the Government Constructed Cost 
(GCC) used in determining the incentive payments in PPMs to be 
based upon “best value” charges, versus the “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 $2,943.40. As for the 
applicant’s request for full compensation of his GCC ($27,077.28) 
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: 

 

In more than 10 military moves, he has relied on the local TMO to 
provide professional service and accurate interpretation of JFTR 
guidance. He expected the same level from the Hickam AFB TMO. 

 

He further notes that his application was initiated prior to the 
15 April cutoff (14 Apr) and, after numerous attempts over the 
past 15 months to find out exactly when an application is 
considered initiated and what that means (TMO, legal office, IG, 
Finance), he has yet to find anyone who can or will answer his 
questions. 

 

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 $18,677.20 in the 
advisory, minus the total compensation he received, $17,101.44. 
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 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 $1,575.76. 

 

______________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2011-01517 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 10 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. 

 Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 1 Sep 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Vice Chair 


 

 

 

 

 

 

AFBCMR BC-2011-01517 

 

 

 

 

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 $1,575.76. 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency