IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 7 January 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130019590
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 reimbursement of $885.83 associated with his baggage shipment to Iraq.
2. The applicant states his orders authorized shipment of 300 pounds to Iraq, but the Department of State, Office of Security Cooperation - Iraq system for shipping baggage was not completed until after he had shipped his equipment. After seeking advice from those in the know, they executed the shipment based on all knowledge available at the time. They did not know a new system was forthcoming. As such, he was only reimbursed what the new system would have cost, not the actual charge he paid to ship the baggage.
3. The applicant provides copies his deployment orders; UPS Store receipt; and email correspondence between officials with Headquarters, Department of the Army, and himself.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 March 2002.
2. Orders Fort Myer, VA 116-0002 were issued by the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Fort Myer, VA on 26 April 2013, deploying him to Iraq with an effective date of 21 June 2002. The orders stated he was authorized shipment of baggage not to exceed a total weight of 300 pounds and any excess weight would be at the service members expense.
3. He provided copies of the following:
a. An UPS Store receipt, dated 11 June 2013, in the amount of $3,602.05.
b. Email correspondence between officials with Headquarters, Department of the Army, and himself, dated between 6 May and 23 July 2013, pertaining to the statement on his orders pertaining to baggage shipment weight of 175 pounds instead of 300 pounds, the use of his Government Travel Card (GTC) to pay for his 300 pounds, amendment of his orders to allow reimbursement to his GTC, and appealing to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR).
4. In an advisory opinion, 20 November 2013, the Chief, Compensation and Entitlements Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, recommended approval of the applicant's request. The G-1 official stated the Army G-3/5/7 confirmed that the initial travel orders provided to the applicant failed to clearly document his entitlements. As a result, the applicant was forced to personally procure transportation service for his accompanied baggage. The applicant acted appropriately and in accordance with the entitlement permitted for the position to which he was assigned. As such, in accordance with paragraph U5320-D1-4 of the Joint Federal Travel Regulation the applicant should be authorized the actual cost of the transportation service he procured.
5. The advisory opinion was forwarded to the applicant for acknowledge and/or possible rebuttal on 25 November 2013. He did not respond.
6. Joint Federal Travel Regulation, paragraph U5320-D1-4, states an eligible member may personally arrange for household goods (HHG) transportation. Transportation cost claims should be prepared and submitted in accordance with service regulations. The Governments cost limit is based on the members maximum HHG weight allowance.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence of record shows the applicant was issued orders deploying him to Iraq on or about 21 June 2013. The orders stated he was authorized shipment of baggage not to exceed a total weight of 300 pounds.
2. G-1 officials stated the applicants orders failed to clearly document his entitlement which resulted in him being forced to personally procure transportation for his unaccompanied baggage. In accordance with regulatory guidance, the applicant is entitled to authorization for the actual cost of the transportation services he procured. Therefore, he is entitled to reimbursement of the full cost associated with his baggage shipment he procured.
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 showing he was authorized shipment of baggage not to exceed total weight of 300 pounds and reimbursing the applicant the actual cost of the transportation services he procured, as a result of this correction.
_______ _ 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) AR20130019590
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130019590
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