RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03987
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
He be allowed to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his
dependents.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
While on active duty, he received an email instructing him to go
to the Veterans Administration (VA) website, to transfer his
Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, so he transferred 33 months to his
wife and 1 month to each of his 3 dependent children. It was
always his intention to transfer his Post-9/11 GI benefits.
The applicant states he cannot locate any supporting documents
and is missing two boxes of records from his move. All he has
is his word, as a retired senior noncommissioned officer (SNCO)
and an outstanding record for the past 25 years.
The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 1 Apr 11, the applicant retired in the grade of master
sergeant after serving 25 years, 2 months and 14 days on active
duty.
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 B.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
HQ AFPC/DPSIT recommends denial. The Air Force, in implementing
its guidance, developed a communication plan that used the Air
Force Personnel Center Commander and the Education and Training
Sections at each installation to serve as spokespersons to
communicate the Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer-to-dependent program
using internal media, internal communication tools, and external
trade publications. There were various news articles about the
Post-9/11 GI Bill; most noted the requirement to be on duty on
the 1 Aug 09 effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to be
eligible to transfer benefits. Some articles mentioned that
service members on active duty or in the selected reserve could
transfer benefits. Notably, since 1 Aug 09, the Air Force
approved over 50,000 transferability applications.
DPSI states the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the DoD
and the Military Services widely publicized the Post-9/11 GI
Bill and the transferability feature. DoD developed a special
website, hosted by Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), to
facilitate the transfer of educational benefits. The website
system was operational on 27 Jun 09 for the purpose of accepting
transfer of benefits applications. The Directive Type Memo
(DTM) and Air Force Instruction state the transfer must be made
while the member is serving in the Armed Forces. Both documents
were published on government-hosted websites prior to 1 Aug 09,
the effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
On 4 Oct 11, the applicant contacted the AFPC Service Center;
however, there is no record he ever applied
previously/transferred to his dependents for the Post-9/11 GI
Bill.
The complete DPSIT evaluation is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
The applicant reiterates his contention that he submitted his
request to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits via the VA
website; but now for some reason, its not part of his records.
He called the AFPC service center to find out what was going on
and was told the VA website was messing up and not accepting
most entries and he was not the first person to call regarding
this issue.
He believes there is something wrong with the way the Post-9/11
GI Bill benefits are/were transferred, since he is not the only
person experiencing these problems.
He knows he transferred his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; it would
be a shame for his family not to receive these welldeserved and
earned benefits.
The applicants complete submission 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. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice
of the applicants complete submission in judging the merits of
the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation
of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its
rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has
not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the
absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to
recommend granting the relief sought in this application.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this
application.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR BC-2011-
03987 in Executive Session on 3 Apr 12, under the provisions of
AFI 36-2603:
Panel Chair
Member
Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Oct 11.
Exhibit B. Applicants Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPSIT, Letter, dated 31 Oct 11.
Exhibit D. SAF/MRBR, Letter, dated 23 Nov 11.
Exhibit E. Applicants Letter, dated 7 Dec 11.
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03524
Had he known that only a one-year service commitment was required due to the date of his retirement, he would have certainly elected to transfer his benefits in a timely manner. Any member of the Armed Forces, active duty or Selected Reserves, officer, or enlisted, on or after 1 Aug 09, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI bill, has at least six years of services in the Armed Forces on the date of election, and agrees to serve a specified additional period of in the Armed Forces from the...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03714
There were various news articles about the Post-9/11 GI Bill; most noted the requirement to be on duty on the 1 Aug 09 effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to be eligible to transfer benefits. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 28 Oct 11 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). ...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-04492
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: AFPC/DPSIT recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or injustice. Both documents were published on government-hosted websites prior to 1 Aug 09, the effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The complete AFPC/DPSIT...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03592
_________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIT recommends denial noting there are no records showing the applicant requested a waiver or extension to remain on active duty to qualify for the program to transfer education benefits to his dependents. Any member of the Armed Forces, active duty or Selected Reserves, officer, or enlisted, on or after 1 Aug 09, who is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI bill, has at least six years of service in the...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03679
________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was not adequately notified of the opportunity to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits prior to his retirement on 30 Sep 10. There were various news articles about the Post-9/11 GI Bill; most noted the requirement to be on duty on the 1 Aug 09 effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to be eligible to transfer benefits. ________________________________________________________________ The following...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-03206
Any member of the Armed Forces, active duty or Selected Reserves, officer, or enlisted, on or after 1 Aug 09, who is eligible for the Post 9/11 GI bill, has at least six years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election, and agrees to serve a specified additional period of service in the Armed Forces from the date of election, may transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their dependents. While we note the steps the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicates were...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-04551
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04551 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his spouse. The Secretary of the Air Force determined the Air Force would offer the transfer of benefits feature. ________________________________________________________________ The...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-04639
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which are attached at Exhibits C. _________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIT recommends denial noting the applicant received pre- separation counseling for educational benefits prior to his retirement. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-01574
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. The Air Force provided unfair and misleading information concerning Post 9-11 transferability by stating that enrolled members were...
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-01366
________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIT recommends denial, stating, in part, the application is not supported with evidence that the applicant was a victim of an error or injustice. After a 2 thorough review of the evidence of record, we do not find persuasive evidence that his Post 911 GI Bill Transfer of educational benefits date is in error. While the applicant believes he was not properly briefed on the requirements to transfer...