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AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-01533
Original file (BC-2011-01533.txt) Auto-classification: Approved
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01533 

COUNSEL: NO 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be allowed to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill educational 
benefits to his son. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

When he initiated the transfer of education benefits (TEB) there 
was a significant amount of confusion and challenges with the 
electronic implementation. At the time he applied for the TEB, 
he was preparing to deploy and tried to confirm the transfer of 
benefits and retirement plans. It was recommended to sign up for 
the transfer and wait to see what the requirements would later 
entail. He identified both his sons in the transfer, but he 
named his youngest son as the recipient of the benefits since his 
older son was planning on graduating in the spring of 2011. 

 

He contacted AFPC to see where his transfer stood only to find 
out they did not receive his validation; therefore, the paperwork 
was not in effect. He wanted to add his oldest son as a 
beneficiary of the education benefits, but was informed that he 
would have to remain on active duty from the date of 
approval/acceptance of the transfer. He contacted the colonel’s 
group to request a 4 month extension and was approved. All 
paperwork was completed and approved on or about 13 Apr 10. The 
transfer status date was 29 Apr 10. 

 

In Sep 10, he resubmitted his request to retire to be effective 
1 May 11. He contacted AFPC trying to resolve the TEB issue for 
his oldest son; however, it was suggested he request a correction 
of records. The only rationale provided as to why his oldest son 
was not eligible for the TEB was due to him turning 23 years of 
age prior to the completion of the paperwork being accomplished. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant provides a copy of his 
TEB approval package and a copy of his son’s transcript. 

 

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


 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant retired on 1 May 11 in the grade of colonel (0-6) 
from the Regular Air Force. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

HQ USAF/A1PA recommends denial. A1PA states they were unable to 
verify the applicant’s initial transfer of benefits because there 
is no record in the database. The database reflects the 
applicant was approved to transfer 35 months to his youngest son 
and 1 month to his spouse. The process did not allow the 
applicant to complete the transfer to his oldest son because he 
was no longer eligible to receive TEB as he reached his 23rd 
birthday on 17 Mar 10. 

 

It is unfortunate that the applicant did not ensure his attempted 
transfer in Oct 09 was completed. However, based on his own 
statement, even if he had been successful and the application had 
been approved, he intentionally did not include his oldest son in 
his initial transfer attempt. He did not complete the transfer 
application until his son had turned 23 years of age. In 
addition, it should be noted the applicant transferred all 
remaining benefits to his eligible dependents. 

 

The HQ USAF/A1PA complete evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant responded by stating that it was his understanding 
the transfer to dependents was only available for undergraduate 
degrees and his oldest son was finishing his bachelor’s degree in 
the summer of 2011. If he had been approved for a 1 Jan 11 
retirement, his oldest son would graduate before he could use any 
of the Post 9/11 benefits. He understood that the months applied 
to each transferee could be changed at any time. 

 

He asks the Board to consider that understanding the elements of 
a newly implemented DoD/VA program, preparing for deployment to 
Iraq, the normal operational pace of Air Staff workload, plus 
submitting a retirement request created a ”fog of war” that 
influenced priorities…deployment was his number 1 priority. As 
A1PA stated if the Board’s decision is to grant relief sought, it 
will be based upon the misunderstanding of counseling as well as 
potential mis-counseling about program elements to include 


dependent age limitations associated with transfer. He 
respectfully requests this matter be corrected in this forum now; 
rather than pursuing a congressional with Senator Orrin Hatch. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission is at 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. After 
reviewing the documentation submitted, we find it reasonable the 
applicant may have been miscounseled regarding the requirements 
necessary to transfer his GI Bill benefits. Despite the efforts 
of the Air Force to make personnel aware of this program during 
its inception, we are aware that there were problems with the 
dissemination of information. Consequently, the applicant has 
established reasonable doubt as to whether he was miscounseled. 
We elect to resolve such doubt in favor of the applicant. 
Therefore, we recommend his 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 on 16 March 2010, 
he elected to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational 
Benefits. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-01533 in Executive Session on 10 Nov 11, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-3003: 

 

 , 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 18 Apr 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, HQ USAF/A1PA, dated 8 Jun 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jun 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, 12 Jul 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 



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