RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:  			DOCKET NO:  01-02078
					INDEX CODE:  128.10

						COUNSEL:  NONE

						HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be allowed to enroll in the Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) program, effective 1 May 1999.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

On 29 September 1998, she signed what she thought was a VGLI form, but it was an SGLI form.  She had no way of knowing that the form she filled out was not the correct form.  She has no insurance.  She realizes she may have to pay back premiums.

Her complete submission is at Exhibit A.

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant was retired from active duty in the grade of staff sergeant, effective 1 January 1999.  On 29 September 1998, she executed an SGLV Form 8286, Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate, indicating maximum coverage of $200,000.

The remaining 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 at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

HQ AFPC/DPW recommended that the application be denied.  The applicant has not provided evidence that she was improperly briefed by the separations counselor at the time of her retirement.  The fact that she completed an SGLI form cannot be construed as an application for VGLI. 

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 12 October 2001, for review and response within 30 days (Exhibit D).  As of this date, she has not responded.

_________________________________________________________________

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.  We are persuaded by the documentation provided that the applicant may have been miscounseled during her separation briefing.  It is reasonable to assume that the applicant believed she was applying for VGLI coverage, as it is implausible to us that she would have applied for SGLI in September 1998, when she was so close to her retirement date of 1 January 1999.  Since it appears that she may not have been properly counseled regarding the correct form, any doubt concerning this matter should be resolved in favor of the applicant.  We noted that the applicant understands that premiums may be recouped for her VGLI coverage.  Therefore, we recommend that her records be corrected as indicated below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 29 September 1998, she executed an SGLI Form 8714, Application for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), effective 1 May 1999.
_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 28 November 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 5 Aug 2001, w/atchs.
   Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ AFPC/DPW, dated 3 Oct 2001.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 12 Oct 2001.

 		  

AFBCMR 01-02078

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 29 September 1998, she executed an SGLI Form 8714, Application for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI), effective 1 May 1999.