RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2012-03947
							COUNSEL:  NONE
                  				HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed $3,780.95 for the cost of his personally 
procured move (PPM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), 
California (CA), to Colorado Springs, Colorado (CO).  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was advised by the Traffic Management Office (TMO) at 
Vandenberg AFB and the Total Force Service Center in San 
Antonio, Texas (TX), that he could move because he had a follow-
on assignment to Colorado.  When he went to the TMO to file a 
claim for reimbursement, they denied his claim because he moved 
prior to the issuance of orders.  He was misled and is entitled 
to the moving expenses paid.  His research and questions asked 
to the professionals, assured him that he could go ahead and 
move and be reimbursed for costs, as long as they did not exceed 
the government rate.  

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

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in 
the grade of master sergeant (E-7).  

The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s 
military service records, are contained in the Air Force 
evaluation at Exhibit C.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

PPA HQ/CCC recommends approval.  ECAF states that per Special 
Order AF-025130, dated 19 December 2011, the applicant made a 
permanent change of station (PCS) move from Vandenberg AFB, CA, 
to Osan Air Base, Korea, with a follow-on assignment to Petersen 
AFB, CO.  In June 2011, the applicant personally arranged with 
World Wide Van Lines to have his HHG shipped from CA to CO in 
anticipation of the follow-on assignment to CO.  After receipt 
of the PCS order in December 2011, the applicant visited the TMO 
at Vandenberg AFB to start the process for reimbursement for the 
PPM from CA to CO.  He was advised reimbursement was not 
authorized because the PPM was accomplished prior to the 
issuance of the order.  

The Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR) Volume 1, Paragraph 
U5330-G, advises that HHG transportation before a PCS order is 
issued is authorized if the request for transportation is 
supported by:  a statement from the PCS authorizing official or 
designated representative that the member was advised before 
such an order was issued, that it would be issued; applicant 
signed agreement to pay for all costs if the new permanent duty 
station named in the order is different; and written applicant–
signed  agreement to pay for all costs if orders are not 
subsequently issued.  The Air Force’s Supplement to the JFTR, 
paragraph 2.5.5.2 advises that a member, who moves HHG at 
personal expense prior to issuance of an order or a Letter-In-
Lieu of Order, is not authorized reimbursement.  Paragraph 
U5320-D.2 advises that a member who personally arranges for 
transportation of HHG is authorized actual cost reimbursement 
not to exceed the Government’s constructed Best Value 
transportation cost of the HHG weight actually transported.  

It appears the applicant made the decision to effect shipment in 
June 2011 based on advice received from the TMO at Vandenberg 
AFB, and the Total Force Service Center at Headquarters Air 
Force Personnel Center (AFPC) in San Antonio, TX.  Based on 
information in the case file, it appears erroneous information 
received regarding authorization for shipment prior to issuance 
of orders resulted in an injustice against the applicant, and 
their office concurs that he should be reimbursed for funds 
personally expended for the PPM of HHG from CA to CO.  
Therefore, they recommend the record be corrected to reflect 
that under competent authority, a Letter-In-Lieu of Orders, 
dated 1 June 2011, was issued to authorize shipment of HHG from 
CA to CO.  In addition, the record be corrected to reflect the 
applicant was authorized reimbursement of funds expended for PPM 
of HHG from CA to CO, based on receipt received from the moving 
contractor showing the actual amount paid.  

The complete PPA HQ/ECAF evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 23 October 2012, for review and comment within 30 
days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, this office has received no 
response.

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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 injustice.  We note the Air 
Force office of primary responsibility recommends correcting the 
record to reflect competent authority issued a Letter-In-Lieu of 
orders authorizing the applicant to a PPM of HHG so he can be 
reimbursed for funds expended for his move from CA to CO.  They 
based their recommendation on evidence indicating the applicant 
received erroneous information from the TMO at Vandenberg AFB 
and the Total Force Service Center at AFPC, regarding 
authorization for shipment prior to the receipt of orders, 
resulting in an injustice against the applicant.  We concur with 
the evaluation and recommendation of the Air Force office of 
primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for 
our conclusion that the applicant has been the victim of an 
injustice.  Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s record be 
corrected as indicated below.  

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that competent 
authority issued a Letter-In-Lieu of orders, dated 1 June 2011, 
authorizing shipment of household goods (HHG) from Vandenberg 
Air Force Base, California, to Colorado Springs, Colorado; and, 
that he was authorized reimbursement of $3,780.95 for his 
personally procured move.  

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The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-03947 in Executive Session on 29 May 2013, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

      		                     , Panel Chair
      		                     , Member
			                     , Member



All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-
03947 was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 6 Aug 12, w/atchs.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, PPA HQ/ECAF, dated 15 Oct 12.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Oct 12.




                       
Panel Chair

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