RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-01911
		INDEX CODE:  128.14

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

She be reimbursed for the amount of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) deducted from her pay.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She signed documents in 2002 declining SGLI coverage, not requesting it.

In support of her appeal, the applicant provided a copy of her Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) for the period 1 May 2003.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force Reserve in the grade of major.

On 1 November 2000, Public Law 106-419, Section 312, was signed into law by President Clinton raising the amount of coverage under SGLI from $200,000 to $250,000.  Under the provisions of this law, every eligible participating member of the Armed Forces was automatically covered for this amount, regardless of any prior election.  The provision also stated that, within the month of April 2001, any member could elect to withdraw or reduce their coverage without being charged $20.00 per month for the maximum coverage of $250,000.
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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

ARPC/DPS recommended denial.  They indicated that they have no record that the applicant declined coverage.  On 10 June 2003 they contacted her to request she accomplish an SGLV Form 8286A declining coverage to stop accruing a debt.  The XXXXXXXX of the Military Personnel Flight, Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, states all members assigned to the XXth Air Base Wing were notified of the changes to the SGLI program through the USAF Academy Bulletin, advertised in the Air Reserve Personnel Update (ARPU) and posted on the Air Force Link on the Air Force New Archive website.

The evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the evaluation and indicated that during April of 2001 she was on active duty and did not convert to the Reserves until August of 2001.  She did receive documentation concerning SGLI coverage and she declined coverage.  She served two weeks as an IMA reservist in August of 2002 and received monthly LES statements from September 2002 on, even though she was obligated to one two-week tour a year.  It wasn’t until March of 2003 that the debt for the SGLI showed on her LES statements.  She further indicates that she never received the Reserve Publications.  The only written form indicating SGLI was her orders to serve her two weeks in August of 2002 and the SGLI form that is now missing.

Applicant’s response, with attachments, 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 an injustice.  We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.  Information pertaining to the change to the SGLI program was extensively advertised for all Air Force components.  The applicant indicates that she was on active duty in April 2001 when the law was changed; however, she presents no documentation to indicate she declined coverage at that time.  Further, while she asserts that she declined SGLI coverage in 2002, she presents no documentation in support of her contention.  Therefore, in the absence of 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 an error or an 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-2003-01911 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 21 May 2003, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  Letter, ARPC/DPS, dated 23 June 2003, w/atchs.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 27 June 2003.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, Applicant, undated, w/atchs.