RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01347
		
		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed for Family Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) premiums he paid for the period of 1 October 2001 through 31 March 2003.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He never carried family coverage and did not realize that it was automatically added to the policy.  He sent in payments marking out family coverage but this was not sufficient to cancel.  He contacted Sgt G___ at DFAS-ADCTB to review and find out the procedure to cancel and not pay the pending $544 bill (Oct 01 to present). 

In support of his request, applicant provided a copy of SGLV 8286A, and a letter from AFRPO/FMFP-Q.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, 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 lieutenant colonel.

Documents provided by applicant indicate that on 1 November 2001, Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance was implemented.  Deductions for coverage under SGLI continued to be taken from his pay until 30 March 2003.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPW recommends denial of the request and states the applicant claims he never has been notified of the automatic family coverage.  All members of the Participating Individual Ready Reserve (PIRR) were notified concerning the new law and declination procedures, in Aug and Oct 01 (Atch 1).  The applicant’s notifications were mailed to his home address.  ARPC extensively advertised the change to the program.  An article was included in the Sept/Oct 01 issue of the Air Reserve Personnel Update (ARPU) (Atch 2).  The ARPC website had information about the change, along with instructions on what to do if you wanted decreased coverage or wished to decline coverage (Atch 3).  Member declined FSGLI on March 20, 2003 (Atch 4), which became effective April 1, 2003; the first day of the following month the election was declined.  According to Defense Accounting and Finance, applicant owes for family coverage from 1 Nov 01 until 30 Mar 03 in the amount of $544.00 for FSGLI prior to the declination.  There is no evidence submitted which indicates any injustice occurred.  

ARPC/DPS complete evaluation is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 16 May 2003, for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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 FSGLI premiums he paid from October 2001 to March 2003.  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 his 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 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 BC-2003-01347 in Executive Session on 2 December 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 19 Mar 03, w/atch.
	Exhibit B.	Letter, ARPC/DPS, dated 1 May 03.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 16 May 03.