IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 2 December 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140007469
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 an exception to policy to transfer educational benefits to his family member under the transfer of educational benefits (TEB) provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
2. The applicant states Chapter 33 did not exist until August 2006 and he was not aware of the rules and regulations because he was honorably discharged on 30 June 2006.
3. The applicant provides a VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim), his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), and a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
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 Regular Army on 6 May 1997. He was honorably discharged on 30 June 2006 by reason of having completed his required active service.
3. Public Law 110-252 limits the eligibility to transfer unused benefits to those members of the Armed Forces who are serving on active duty or a member of the Selected Reserve.
4. On 22 June 2009, DOD established the criteria for eligibility and transfer of unused educational benefits to eligible family members. The policy states 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 from 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.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant served on active duty from 6 May 1997 through 30 June 2006. The law requires a member to be on active duty or in the Selected Reserve on or after 1 August 2009 at the time he/she requests the transfer. The applicant was neither on active duty nor in the Selected Reserve at the time this program was implemented. Therefore, he is not eligible to transfer his education benefits under the TEB provision of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to his family members.
2. The applicant's service and his sincerity are not in question. However, the requirements of this program are set in the law and any changes to this law are not within the purview of this Board. There is neither an error nor an injustice in his case and as such, he is not entitled to the requested relief.
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) AR20140007469
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