RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: 02-00909
		INDEX CODE   100.00
	 	COUNSEL:  NONE

	 	HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed for the Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) premiums paid during April through November 2001.

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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 are 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 (Exhibit C).  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPW recommends the application be denied and states, in part, that the Pentagon leadership took adequate steps to inform all members of the increase in coverage and the applicant had adequate time during the month of April 2001 to make a new election and avoid the increased premium.  The applicant did not provide any documentation to indicate that he was not aware of the change and his responsibility to make a new election or to refuse the benefit.  Furthermore, since the applicant elected to continue his coverage on 4 January 2002 at the higher amount, he will continue to be charged for the increased coverage.

The AFPC/DPW evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and states that he agrees that there was adequate notification of the SGLI policy change; however, he thought that it only applied to current SGLI participants.  Since he was not a participant in the SGLI, he assumed it would not affect him.

Applicant’s compete response is at Exhibit E.

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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.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  Public Law 106-419, Section 312, effective 1 April 2001, automatically increased the level of SGLI coverage to $250,000 for all eligible military members, regardless of any prior election.  Members who had elected no coverage or less than $250,000 coverage prior to 1 April 2001, could avoid the higher premiums provided they completed a new election form in April 2001.  No evidence has been submitted showing that the applicant declined coverage during the month of April 2001.  We therefore 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 no basis exists to reimburse the premiums withheld.  Therefore, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. 

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
 
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-00909 in Executive Session on 24 July 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

   	Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Jan 02, w/atchs.
  	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
  	Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPW, dated 15 Apr 02.
  	Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Apr 02.
	Exhibit E.  Letter, Applicant, dated 13 May 02.