RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-00671

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED: NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) election for “NO” coverage be honored and the debt for premiums in the amount of $340.00 be removed.  

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She never had SGLI.  When she transferred from the Air National Guard on 1 October 2001 to the Air Reserves, she signed paperwork declining SGLI.  When she became affected by STOP-LOSS (Oct 01), she was never told she needed to sign paperwork declining something she never had.

In support of the applicant's appeal, she submits DD Form 149.

Applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is presently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of technical sergeant.

Applicant was assigned to the 46th Aerial Port (T4), Dover, DE from 29 December 2000, until 1 September 2002. ARPC/DPS has no record that the member declined coverage at that time.  According to Reserve Order A-0306 dated 24 July 2001, the applicant was informed she was covered under SGLI until her loss date of       1 September 2002.
 
According to their pay system, the applicant declined SGLI coverage on 1 October 2002 by signing SGLV Form 8286, Servicemen's' Group Life Insurance Election Statement.  Applicant owes for premiums from 1 April 2001, until 21 August 2002, at total of $340.00.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION

ARPC/DPS recommends the request be denied.  

ARPC/DPS complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and stated that when she transferred to the Air Force Reserves in January 2001, she was never told that she had to opt out of SGLI again.  No payments were made (by her) during her stay in the Reserves (3 months).  Months later, after receiving a letter notifying her of a top-loss status, again, she was never told she had to once again opt of something she never had.  She never heard from her Reserve unit again until she was notified that she was released from stop-lose.  Months later, she received a letter notifying her of this debt to SGLI.  She would also like to add that the letter she received was incorrect in that she elected to withdraw from SGLI in April 2001.  Her signature/initials does not appear on any of the correspondence accepting SGLI. 

During her entire military career, she has never had SGLI.  So why would she think that after her military career is over, she be covered by something she rejected 15 years ago.

If this debt cannot be erased, then she would like for it be forgiven.  She recently graduated from college, and she is facing over $60,000 in a student loan. She is currently working part-time.

Applicant’s complete response is at 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 an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded the applicant should be reimbursed for the SGLI premiums she paid from April 2001 to August 2002.  Under the provisions of Public Law 106-419, every eligible member of the Armed Forces was automatically covered, regardless of any prior election.  The applicant’s contentions are duly noted; however, we do not find these assertions, in and by themselves, sufficiently persuasive to override the rationale provided by the office of primary responsibility.  We therefore agree with their recommendation and adopt the rationale expressed as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain her burden of having suffered either an error or an injustice.  In view of the above and absent persuasive evidence to the contrary, we find no compelling basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS 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 AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2003-00671 in Executive Session on 25 July 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

		Panel Chair
		Member
		Member

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 19 Mar 03.
	Exhibit B.	Letter, ARPC/DPS, dated 27 Mar 03.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Apr 03.
	Exhibit D.	Applicant’s Response, dated 14 Apr 03.

			
			Panel Chair