RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02535 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His record be changed to show he elected spouse coverage under 
the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP). 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He went to the 157th Military Personnel Flight (MPF) to have his 
marriage updated in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting 
System (DEERS). He also asked if there was anything else he 
needed to take care of – SBP was never mentioned. 

 

In support of his request, the applicant submits a copy of his 
marriage record. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant was notified of his eligibility to participate in 
the RCSBP on 12 December 2003 via letter. The election package 
was sent to the applicant’s address. He made no election during 
that time and was automatically enrolled in Option A (Decline to 
make an election until age 60). 

 

The applicant married on 17 February 2009. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

ARPC/DPTT recommends denial. DPTT states unfortunately the 
MILPDS and DEERS do not interchange or merge information. In 
addition, the RCSBP can only be updated by ARPC and DPTT and they 
have no record of contact. The RCSBP package that was sent to 
the applicant in 2003 clearly explained that if the member had 
any questions, life changing events, or concerns to call this 


headquarters. Based on the facts provided, the applicant did not 
request to change his RCSBP coverage within one year of his 
marriage as required by law Title 10, U.S.C., Section 1448. 

 

The DPTT complete evaluation, with attachments, is at Exhibit B. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 

 

On 19 August 2011, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was 
forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days 
(Exhibit C). As of this date, this office has received no 
response. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 injustice. Having carefully 
reviewed this application, we believe that relief is warranted. 
We note the applicant took steps to have his marriage updated in 
the DEERS and through no fault of his own, he was not fully aware 
of the steps necessary to implement SBP coverage for his spouse. 
In addition, the Board finds the evidence sufficient to give him 
the benefit of doubt in this matter as it does not appear 
reasonable that he would have knowingly elected not to elect this 
important benefit. As such, we believe that any doubt in this 
matter should be resolved in his favor. Therefore, we recommend 
that his records be corrected as indicated below. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force 
relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that on 17 February 
2009, he elected spouse coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan 
(SBP) based on full retired pay, naming XXXX as the spouse 
beneficiary. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

 

 

 

 


 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-02535 in Executive Session on 26 April 2012, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The 
following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number 
BC-2011-02535 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 June 2011, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Letter, AFPC/DPTT, dated 8 August 2011, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 August 2012.