IN THE CASE OF:	

		BOARD DATE:	     23 August 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120004438


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 dependent child in a timely manner, in accordance with the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, just prior to his retirement date a program was implemented that allowed Soldiers to transfer their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members.  He was unable to exercise this option because he had to turn in his common access card (CAC) prior to beginning his transition leave.  After he retired, he was unable to access his account to verify the transfer.
 
3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) and Orders 063-0003, issued by Installation Management Command, Korea Region, dated 4 March 2009.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 21 August 1987.  He served through multiple reenlistments and/or extensions in various stateside and overseas assignments, and attained the rank/grade of sergeant first class/E-7.

2.  His records show he underwent pre-separation counseling, on 12 September 2008, wherein he checked the "Yes" block in item 13a (Education/Training – Educational Benefits) of his DD Form 2648 (Preseparation Counseling Checklist for Active Component Members) in anticipation of his upcoming retirement.  Items checked "Yes" are services and benefits to which the service member or spouse desires to receive further information or counseling or attend additional workshops, briefings, classes, etc.

3.  Orders 063-0004, issued by Installation Management Command, Korea Region, dated 4 March 2009, show he had a scheduled appointment at the Camp Henry Transition Center, for final out processing and to sign his DD Form 214, on 20 May 2009. 

4.  On 31 August 2009, he was honorably retired from the Army after 22 years and 10 days of faithful and honorable service.  On 1 September 2009, he was placed on the Retired List in the rank/grade of sergeant first class/E-7.

5.  There is no evidence in his records that show 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.

6.  On 27 March 2012, an advisory opinion was obtained in the processing of this case.  The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 recommended administrative relief for the applicant because he left the service within 90 days of the program's implementation.  

7.  The applicant was provided a copy of this advisory opinion on 3 April 2012 for comment; however, he did not respond within the allocated 30-day timeframe.  

8.  On 22 June 2009, the 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.

9.  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.

10.  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 applicant contends his records should be corrected to allow him to transfer his educational benefits to his dependents under the TEB provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

2.  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.

3.  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.

4.  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.

5.  The applicant's retirement date was 31 August 2009.  It is reasonable to presume he may have signed out on transition leave and/or permissive temporary duty up to 90 days earlier.  It is also 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 timely filed an application to transfer his educational benefits in accordance with the Post 9/11 GI Bill 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 is 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 dependent child 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)                                         AR20100025000



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120004438



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