IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  24 April 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110020123 


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 correction of his records to show his educational benefits were transferred to his eligible dependents, in a timely manner, in accordance with the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) provision of the 
Post-9/11 GI Bill.

2.  He states he began his terminal leave in August 2009 and was never told of the requirement to elect to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents prior to his retirement.   

3.  He provides his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), a copy of emails to and from the Department of the Army (DA) Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS) , G-1, and an Air Force Times news article.  

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  His military records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 May 1989.

2.  He was retired for length of service on 31 October 2009 after completing more than 20 years of active duty.

3.  There is no evidence in his records that shows he received pre-separation counseling concerning the Post-9/11 GI Bill or that he applied for the transfer of educational benefits to his dependents.

4.  On 27 December 2011, an advisory opinion was obtained in the processing of this case.  The DCS, G-1 recommended administrative relief for the applicant because he left the service within 90 days of the program's implementation.  

5.  The applicant was provided a copy of this advisory opinion for comment.  He concurred with the DCS, G-1 findings that he was never informed of the requirement to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits prior to his retirement.

6.  On 22 June 2009, Department of Defense (DOD) established the criteria for eligibility and transfer of unused education benefits to eligible family members.  The policy states an eligible individual is any member of the Armed Forces on or after 1 August 2009 who, at the time of the approval of the individual's request to transfer entitlement to educational assistance under this section, is eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill and:

	a.  has at least 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and agrees to serve 4 additional years in the Armed Forces from the date of election; or

	b.  has at least 10 years of service in the Armed Forces (active duty and/or Selected Reserve) on the date of election, is precluded by either standard policy (service or DOD) or statute from committing to 4 additional years, and agrees to serve for the maximum amount of time allowed by such policy or statute; or

	c.  is or becomes retirement eligible during the period 1 August 2009 through 1 August 2013.  A service member is considered to be retirement eligible if he or she has completed 20 years of active duty or 20 qualifying years of Reserve service.

7.  The policy further states the Secretaries of the Military Departments will provide active duty participants and members of the Reserve Components with qualifying active duty service individual pre-separation or release from active duty counseling on the benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and document accordingly and maintain records for individuals who receive supplemental educational assistance under Public Law 110-252, section 3316.

8.  On 10 July 2009, the Army released the Post-9/11 GI Bill Implementation Policy which identified and established responsibilities, eligibility criteria, benefits, and detailed guidance on the administration of the program.


DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The available evidence shows he was fully eligible to transfer his educational benefits under the TEB provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill prior to retirement, but he did not make application to do so while on active duty.

2.  The program was implemented on 1 August 2009.  The Army, DOD, and VA conducted a massive public information campaign plan that generated major communications through military, public, and social media venues.  The information was published well in advance with emphasis on the criteria.  Soldiers needed to meet two criteria to qualify to transfer benefits to an eligible dependent:  (a) they must be on active duty or a member of the Selected Reserve at the time of the transfer (provided the Soldiers do not have an adverse action flag) and (b) they must have at least 6 years of qualifying service in the Armed Forces (active duty and Selected Reserve) and agree to serve at least 4 additional years from the date of request unless retirement eligible.

3.  Nevertheless, during the initial implementation of this new program, many Soldiers at all grades were confused regarding their eligibility and/or the procedure to apply for such benefit.  This confusion was exacerbated by heavy use of the DOD website and the lack of proper log-in credentials for those who had signed out on transition leave within 90 days of the program implementation, as well as by a lack of familiarity with TEB provision policies by education centers and separation counselors.

4.  The applicant's retirement date was 31 October 2009.  Since it appears he signed out on transition leave within a few weeks after implementation of the transfer program, it is reasonable to presume that had he known of the procedure to transfer his benefits while on active duty, he would have done so.  Therefore, as a matter of equity, his records should be corrected to show he did so in a timely manner prior to his effective date of retirement.

BOARD VOTE:

____X___  ___X_____  ___X_____  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined 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 showing the applicant filed his application and the Army approved his request to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents prior to retirement, provided all other program eligibility criteria are met.




      _______ _   _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)                                         AR20110020123



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110020123



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