RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-00190
		INDEX CODE:  128.02
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  YES

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed for the cost of an airline ticket, self-procured, for official travel from El Paso, TX to Ronald Reagan National Airport, Arlington VA.  
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He made a conscious, well-thought-out, good faith effort in the purchase of his ticket.  The DOD Claims Appeals Board decision denied his claim on the grounds that he was erroneous or negligent in his actions, which is not the case.  He should not be subject to a penalty due to the fact that the Commercial Travel Office (CTO) was not knowledgeable on this subject matter.  The Air Force prides itself on the ability to take care of its people and this situation is the antithesis of this motto.  Justice has greater wisdom than what has been displayed. 

In support of his application, he submits a copy of the DOD Claims Appeals Board decision, a memorandum from his unit financial officer, a personal statement, Travel order number TC-213, passenger airline receipt, travel voucher and travel voucher summary.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.  

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of lieutenant colonel and is assigned to Holloman AFB, NM.  

Based on travel documents provided by the applicant (Exhibit A), he departed Holloman AFB, NM on 20 September 2000 and arrived in Cincinnati OH on personal leave on the same date. According to his travel voucher, applicant was in a leave status from 20 – 24 September 2000.  On 25 September 2000, he departed Cincinnati, OH and arrived at Langley AFB, VA via a Government-procured rental car. On 30 September 2000, he departed Langley AFB, VA and arrived at Holloman AFB, NM on the same date.

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.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

USAF/ILT recommends the application be granted for the constructed cost between authorized points (El Paso, TX to Ronald Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA).  ILT states that for the Government to take financial responsibility for official travel without conflicting with the applicant’s desired route of travel to include the leave location in conjunction with official travel, applicant should be reimbursed $352.00. 

The Air Force evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Applicant states that he concurs and accepts the recommendation of a $352.00 reimbursement.  

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After reviewing the applicant’s submission and the evidence of record, we are persuaded that some relief is warranted.  We believe the policy not to reimburse personnel for self-procured official travel from a source other than a Traffic Management Office is an irritant and detracts from morale and retention, especially when members are provided no guidance or erroneous information.  We note that the applicant took leave enroute to his Temporary Duty (TDY) to Langley AFB, VA and should not be reimbursed for the portion of his airline ticket that pertains to personal travel.  Therefore, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant be reimbursed $352.00.  Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. 

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issue(s) involved.  Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered.  

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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 19 September 2000, competent authority authorized him to self-procure commercial airline tickets from El Paso, TX to Ronald Reagan National Airport, and return, and that he is entitled to reimbursement for the expenses incurred for his personally-procured official transportation in the amount of $352.00. 

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 5 March 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

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

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 Jan 02 w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Letter, USAF/ILT, dated 13 Mar 02 w/atchs.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 Mar 02.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, 27 Mar 02.

                                   

AFBCMR 02-00190

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 XXXXXXXXXXX, be corrected to show that on 19 September 2000, competent authority authorized him to self-procure commercial airline tickets from El Paso, TX, to Ronald Reagan National Airport, and that he is entitled to reimbursement for the expenses incurred for his personally-procured official transportation in the amount of $352.00.