BOARD DATE:	  17 January 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120008948 


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 transfer of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his son.

2.  The applicant states:

   a.  he retired from active duty 90 days prior to the eligibility date to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits;
   
   b.  he fulfilled the main requirement to transfer the benefit in question because he completed 20 years of active federal service;
   
   c.  a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) representative directed he receive this action.
   
3.  The applicant provides a VA Letter, dated 20 December 2011.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was honorably retired from the Regular Army on 30 April 2009.

3.  The applicant provides a VA Letter, dated 20 December 2011.  It shows he was awarded education benefits under the Post 9/11 GI Bill and provides him information regarding his payments, remaining benefits, and methods of contacting this agency.

4.  In connection with the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained from the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.  It indicates the law governing the transferability of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits places legal limitations on transferability.  It limits the eligibility to transfer unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to those members of the Armed Forces who were serving on active duty or as a member of the Selected Reserve on or after 1 August 2009 and who have 6 years of eligible service regardless of the reason for separation. Based on the details provided by the applicant, G-1 does not recommend relief in the applicant’s case.  The applicant was released from active duty for retirement on 30 April 2009 prior to the beginning date of eligibility to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits.

5.  On 26 June 2012, the applicant was provided a copy of the G-1 advisory opinion in order to have the opportunity to respond to or rebut its contents.  To date, he has failed to reply.

6.  The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 is described under Title V of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, Public 
Law 110-252, House of Representatives, 2642.  In July of 2008, Congress passed a law for the Post-9/11 GI Bill which went into effect on 1 August 2009.

7.  Public Law 110-252, section 3319, provides the eligibility requirements necessary to transfer unused educational benefits to family members.  A service member may execute transfer of benefits only while serving as a member of the Armed Forces.  The VA is responsible for final determination of eligibility for educational benefits under this program.  General eligibility criteria are as follows:

	a.  Service members must have accrued specific qualifying active duty service on or after 11 September 2001 of at least 30 continuous days of qualifying active duty service if discharged due to a service-connected disability or between 90 days and 36 months or more of total aggregate qualifying active duty service.

	b.  Service members must have served on active duty in the Regular Army or as a Reserve member ordered to active duty under Title 10, U.S. Code, sections 688, 12301(a), 12301(d), 12301(g), 12302, and 12304 (orders in support of contingency operations, i.e., mobilization), and must have received an honorable discharge at the conclusion of active duty service.

8.  The program guidance stipulates that if a service member becomes retirement eligible during the period on 1 August 2009 through 1 August 2013 and agrees to serve the additional period as specified below, he/she is entitled to transfer benefits to his/her dependents.  A member is considered to be retirement eligible upon completion of 20 years of active Federal service or 20 qualifying years as computed under Title 10, U.S. Code, section 12732:

	a.  service members eligible for retirement on 1 August 2009 – no additional service required;

	b.  service members who have an approved retirement date after 1 August 2009 and before 1 July 2010 – no additional service required;

	c.  service members eligible for retirement after 1 August 2009 and before 1 August 2010 – 1 year of additional service is required;

	d.  service members eligible for retirement on or after 1 August 2010 and before 1 August 2011 – 2 years of additional service is required;

	e.  service members eligible for retirement on or after 1 August 2011 and before 1 August 2012 – 3 years of additional service is required; and

	f.  active duty service members who separate, retire, transfer to the Reserve, or who are discharged on or prior to 1 August 2009 are not eligible to elect transferability.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s request to correct his record to show he was eligible to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits has been carefully considered.  However, the governing law is very specific in requiring that a member be in an active status on 1 August 2009 in order to qualify for the program.  As a result, equity relief in this case would not be appropriate given it would be contrary to law.

2.  Contrary to the applicant's claim, the VA only provided his eligibility for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and not the transfer of this benefit to his dependents.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X___  __X____  ___X_____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      _______ _   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)                                         AR20120008948





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120008948



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