RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-03779
		INDEX CODE:  128.00

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Applicant requests that his record be changed to show he declined Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage, he wants premiums charged cancelled, and he does not believe he is obligated to pay any charges incurred.
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He did not receive notice of the automatic family coverage and does not need this coverage.

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his last Leave and Earnings Statement.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a member of the Air Force Reserve, with 21 years and 10 months of satisfactory Federal service.  He is currently serving in the grade of master sergeant (E-7), with an effective date and date of rank of 1 Sep 01.

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:

HQ ARPC/DPS recommends the application be denied.  DPS states that, on 5 June 2001, the President approved Public Law 107-14, Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2001.  Within the context of the law, the expanded SGLI program was established to provide spouse and/or children in the event of their death.  The coverage, by law, was automatic for all members of the Armed Forces who had a spouse and/or children, unless the member decline coverage.

DPS states that all members of the Participating Individual Ready Reserve (PIRR) were notified concerning the new law and declination procedures, in Aug and Oct 01.  Applicant’s notifications were mailed to his GA address.  Applicant declined FSGLI on 30 Nov 02, which became effective Dec 02, the first day of the following month the election was declined.  Applicant owes for family coverage from 1 Nov 01 until 30 Nov 02 in the amount of $384.00 prior to his declination.  No evidence has been submitted to indicate an injustice occurred.  A complete copy of the evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit C.
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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 17 Jan 03, a complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit D).
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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.  His contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find these uncorroborated assertions, in and by themselves sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the Air Force office of primary responsibility.  In this respect, we note that notifications of the new law and declination procedures were mailed to the applicant’s home address.  We therefore agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden that he has suffered either an error or an injustice.  In view of the above and absent evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling 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 this application in Executive Session on 15 Apr 03, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2002-03779.

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 22 Nov 02, w/atch.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, HQ ARPC/DPS, dated 3 Jan 03, w/atchs.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Jan 03.