RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-01532 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: YES 

 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be corrected to reflect he transferred his 
entitlement to educational benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill 
to his dependents. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

Prior to his retirement, he applied for eligibility for Post-
9/11 GI Bill benefits and received a Certificate of Eligibility. 
He subsequently went online and filled in his family members and 
the amount of his benefit he wanted transferred. He recently 
attempted to double check his information, but the system does 
not show his benefits were transferred. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant’s military personnel records indicate he served on 
active duty from 16 Apr 84 though 30 Apr 10. On 1 May 10, he 
was retired for length of service in the grade of master 
sergeant (E-7) and was credited with 26 years and 15 days of 
total active service. 

 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are 
contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of 
the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibits C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

AF/A1PA recommends denial, indicating there is no evidence of an 
error or injustice. The applicant does not claim that he was 
incorrectly counseled, nor does he claim he was not aware that 
he needed to make the transfer of benefits while he was on 


active duty. He only indicates that he was advised by the 
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to request a correction to 
his records to add his children to his transfer of benefits. 
The applicant had adequate time, opportunity, and access to 
information about the transfer process between the time he 
received his Post-9/11 GI Bill Certificate of Eligibility and 
his 1 May 10 retirement date. The fact the member did not take 
any action to ensure the request to transfer benefits was 
properly submitted is not an error or injustice on the part of 
the Air Force. 

 

A complete copy of the AF/A1PA evaluation is at Exhibit C. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the 
applicant on 24 Jun 11 for review and comment within 30 days. 
As of this date, no response has been received by this office 
(Exhibit D). 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by 
existing law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was timely filed. 

 

3. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. While we 
note the steps the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
indicates were taken to inform eligible personnel of this new 
benefit, it appears that through no fault of the applicant, he 
was not timely made aware of his eligibility and the steps 
necessary to transfer his benefits to his dependents. In 
addition, we find no basis to question his account in this 
matter and do not find it reasonable that he would have 
knowingly elected not to pursue use of this important 
entitlement. Therefore, we elect to resolve any doubt in this 
matter in behalf of the applicant and recommend the records be 
corrected as indicated below. 

 

4. The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not 
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel 
will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. 
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably 
considered. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

 


THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that the 
transfer of Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits will be 
executed in accordance with his expressed preferences contingent 
upon the completion of the necessary paperwork within 30 days. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-01532 in Executive Session on 29 Jul 11, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 22 Apr 11. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AF/A1PA, dated 25 May 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 24 Jun 11.