RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02765 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He receive compensation for his personally procured move (PPM) 
from Hawaii to Texas 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 would have 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 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 a personal 
statement, copies of his receipts, a letter of support from the 
commander, a DD Form 2278, Application for Do It Yourself Move 
and Counseling Checklist, his request for remission and 
consequent approval from the Defense Finance and Accounting 
Service (DFAS), his permanent change of station (PCS) paperwork, 
and pertinent e-mail communications. 

 

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 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 13 May 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 $16,341.05 and an 
advance operating allowance of $10,320.66. 

 

When the PPM was re-calculated under the required DPS, the 
applicant’s incentive payment was reduced to $8,977.60. Since 
he had already received an operating allowance of $10,320.66, he 
received a bill for $1,343.06, 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 had $210.08 in out-of-pocket expenses. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

PPA HQ/ECAF recommends a partial grant in that since the 
applicant experienced a net loss of $210.08 (out-of-pocket) 
expenses, he should be reimbursed that amount. 

 

Regarding the applicant’s request for full compensation of his 
GCC ($16,341.05) based on the TOPS calculation; ECAF notes that 
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. ECAF cites the JFTR which 
requires that the member’s incentive be based upon 95% of the 
GCC using the “best value” rates reflected in DPS. 

 

Although it is unfortunate the applicant did not receive as much 
incentive as he was initially advised, the difference between 
the initial estimate and the corrected estimate of $1,343.06 was 
remitted by the Air Force. 

 

The complete ECAF evaluation is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 


 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

The applicant states he has met his burden of providing 
sufficient evidence that a material error or injustice occurred. 
There is no disagreement that he received inaccurate counseling, 
that he made the decision to do the PPM on behalf of his family 
based on that counseling, that his family and he expended 
significant time and effort to complete the PPM, and, that the 
error on the part of the Air Force has led to a significantly 
adverse impact on he and his family. 

 

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 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 this recommended relief is 
consistent with relief granted 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. Therefore, we recommend the 
applicant’s 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 under 
competent authority, government procured transportation was not 
available and in accordance with Joint Federal Travel Regulation 
(JFTR), Volume 1, paragraph U5320-D.1, he is authorized 
reimbursement for out of pocket expenses in the amount of 
$210.08. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 


The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-02765 in Executive Session on 6 Nov 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

 

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

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 Jun 11, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, PPA HQ/ECAF, dated 19 Oct 11. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Nov 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, Applicant, dated 15 Dec 11. 

 

 

 

 

 Vice Chair