IN THE CASE OF:	  

	BOARD DATE:	
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080002077 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, that the zip code on his amended Orders Number 265-001, dated 22 September 2003, be corrected to show the zip code of "98345" instead of the zip code "46031." 

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that his amended orders, Orders Number 265-001, dated 22 September 2003, show the zip code of "46031" and the correct zip code is "98345."  The incorrect zip code resulted in pay problems for him for the period from September 2003 until approximately December 2004.  During this period, he experienced an approximately $146.00 per month pay shortage.  He states that all avenues have been exhausted to correct the issue. 

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders, with amendment; two copies of his LES (Leave and Earning Statement); several Query Results for BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing); and copies of numerous emails in support of his request.  

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant is currently serving on active duty as a staff sergeant (SSG/E-6) overseas.




2.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, United States Army Japan (Forward Support Team) Orders Number 177-08, dated 26 June 2003, which reassigned him from his parent unit overseas to the Yakima Veterinary Section, Yakima Firing Center, Washington, with an assigned zip code of "98926" which represents the city of Ellensburg, Washington, according to the United States Postal Service (USPS).

3.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, United States Army Medical Command (USAMEDCOM) Orders Number 265-001, dated 22 September 2003, which amended Orders Number 177-08, dated 26 June 2003, to show that he was assigned to the Navy Food Management Team Bremerton, Bremerton, Washington, with an erroneously applied zip code of "46031."  This zip code represents Atlanta, Indiana, according to the USPS.

4.  The applicant provided Query Results for BAH rates for the zip codes of 98926, which represented Yakima, Washington, and zip code 98345, which represents Bremerton, Washington.  The query also provided the monthly allowance for an E-6 with and without dependents for the assigned zip codes.

5.  The applicant provided a copy of his LES for the month of November 2004 which shows that he was paid single BAQ (Basic Allowance for Quarters) according to zip code 98926 which represents Yakima, Washington.  His LES for the month of December 2004 shows he was paid BAQ according to zip code 98345, which represents Keyport, Washington, according to the USPS. 

6.  The applicant provided several copies of emails that were transmitted between him and personnel at USAMEDCOM and VETCOM (Veterinary Command).  He states that he spoke to reassignment personnel at Fort Lewis, Washington, in regards to adding his dependents to his orders.  He was informed that since he did not turn in his levy packet to inform them of his intentions and what to annotate on his orders, his orders were published with, "Dependents NO."  He was informed to contact 1st PERSCOM (Personnel Command – sic United States Army Republic of Japan [USARJ] who originally published his reassignment orders) to get it changed.  Personnel informed him that they had been working on the issue for a year and a half but still no results.  The applicant informed USAMEDCOM/VETCOM that DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service) would not pay him until orders were corrected.  





7.  Through email, USAMEDCOM informed the applicant that they had exhausted all the avenues that they could pursue.  They believed that the only recourse, due to the passage of time, was to apply to this Board for relief to correct his amended orders to show the correct zip code.  USAMEDCOM informed the applicant that they could not amend another organization's orders.  They were aware that he had been attempting to correct the zip code for over 4 years and that he should coordinate through personnel channels.  USAMEDCOM made follow-up calls to the losing command, with no supporting response. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence shows that the applicant was reassigned from his overseas assignment to the Yakima Veterinary Section, Yakima Firing Center, Washington, with an assigned zip code of "98926."  Orders were amended to show assignment to the Navy Food Management Team Bremerton, Washington, with an assigned zip code of "46301" which was incorrect and which represented Atlanta, Indiana.  

2.  The applicant attempted to get and requested assistance in correcting Headquarters, USAMEDCOM Orders Number 265-001, dated 22 September 2003, to show the correct zip code of 98345 which represented Bremerton, Washington.  He contacted USAMEDCOM/VETCOM for assistance and they informed him that they were unable to assist him.  He was informed that they could not amend another organization's orders and that DFAS would not pay him until orders were correct. 

3.  USAMEDCOM informed the applicant that they had exhausted all avenues they could pursue and that the only recourse, due to the passage of time, was to apply to this Board for relief in correcting his orders to show the correct zip code. 

4.  The applicant is serving on active duty and the next higher command to correct his amended orders to show the correct zip code is AHRC-Alexandra.  Due to the passage of time, and in the interest of justice, fairness, and equity, the Board recommends that AHRC correct the applicant's amended 
Orders Number 256-001, dated 22 September 2003, issued by Headquarters, USAMEDCOM based on HQDA assignment instructions, to show the zip code of "98345."  The DFAS should pay the applicant all back pay and allowances to which he is entitled due to the correction of his zip code.

BOARD VOTE:

____x___  ____x___  ___x____  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: 

	a.  AHRC amending Headquarters, USAMEDCOM Orders Number 
265-001, dated 22 September 2003, to show the zip code of "98345" and that DFAS be provided a copy of this amended order; and

	b.  having DFAS audit the applicant’s record and correct the applicant's pay discrepancy and provide him all back pay and allowances due as a result of this zip code correction and change.




       _       _x_________
       CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080002077



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080002077



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