IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 29 July 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130021942
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 approval for transfer of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his eligible family members.
2. The applicant states he was not properly counseled on all aspects of the education benefit he was entitled to receive upon his separation from active duty in March 2005. He contends that at no time during his separation processing was he advised of the ramification of not transferring the benefit prior to separation.
3. The applicant provides a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
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 enlisted in the Army National Guard (ARNG) on 29 September 2000. He served on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from
2 February 2004 to 21 March 2005.
3. He was discharged from the ARNG on 28 September 2007.
4. Public Law 110-252 establishes legal limitations on the transferability of unused Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits. Section 3020 of Public Law 110-252 limits eligibility to transfer unused benefits to those members of the Armed Forces who are serving on active duty or as a member of the Selected Reserve on or after
1 August 2009.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
The available evidence shows his last day as a member of the ARNG was
28 September 2007. Soldiers must have been on active duty or a member of the Selected Reserve on or after 1 August 2009 to be eligible to transfer their 9/11 GI Bill benefit. Accordingly, he did not meet the eligibility requirements.
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) AR20130021942
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130021942
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