RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00113
		INDEX CODE:  128.09

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be reimbursed $658.00 for the cost of self-procuring a commercial airline ticked to her new duty station.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The reasons the applicant believes the records to be in error or unjust and the evidence submitted in support of the appeal is at Exhibit A.

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant's military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force.  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Acting Chief, Traffic Management Division, HQ USAF/ILTT, reviewed the application and states that because the applicant is new to the Air Force with little experience in permanent change of station requirements, they believe she made an honest mistake.  After review of this application and supporting documents, they recommend applicant’s records be corrected to show her transportation was authorized/approved.  Correct Special Order AF-385 to read:  “Member authorized to self-procure airline tickets from Lackland AFB, TX (San Antonio, TX) to Great Falls, MT (Malmstrom AFB, MT) and be reimbursed $521.00” in block #24.

A complete copy of the evaluation is attached at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 20 April 2001, a complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was timely filed.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.  From the information provided, it appears that the applicant was miscounseled concerning PCS travel entitlements.  In view of the fact that the applicant was new to the Air Force and had no prior PCS experience, she relied on the miscounseling to her detriment.  Therefore, we believe approval of the requested relief would be appropriate.  We have noted the Air Force recommendation that the applicant’s total reimbursement be a lesser amount than she actually spent based on the requirements of the approved GSA program.  However, we believe that the applicant is entitled to full reimbursement for the monies she spent based on the circumstances of this case, i.e., she was provided erroneous advice by what she perceived to be proper and reliable Air Force source(s) and was disadvantaged as a result.  Accordingly, her records should be corrected in the following manner.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 18 October 2000, competent authority authorized the applicant to self-procure commercial airline tickets from Lackland AFB, TX (San Antonio, TX) to Great Falls, MT (Malmstrom AFB, MT) and she is entitled to reimbursement for the expenses incurred for her personally-procured transportation.

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 23 May 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

              Panel Chair
              Member
              Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 27 Nov 00, w/Atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ USAF/ILTT, undated.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 20 Apr 01.

                                   
                                   Panel Chair 

AFBCMR 01-00113
INDEX CODE:  128.09

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to, be corrected to show that on 18 October 2000, competent authority authorized the applicant to self-procure commercial airline tickets from Lackland AFB, TX (San Antonio, TX) to Great Falls, MT (Malmstrom AFB, MT) and she is entitled to reimbursement for the expenses incurred for her personally-procured transportation.