RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-00423 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He receive pay and reimbursement for the relocation of his household goods (HHG) during a permanent change of station (PCS) move. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Personal circumstances forced him to move his family and household goods to his next duty location before he received his PCS orders. He requested a Letter-in-Lieu of orders but it was denied because the proper paperwork was lost by his servicing Out-Bound Assignments section. He sought guidance about any issues that might arise from moving his household goods ahead of his departure and was told he would need to file an after the fact do-it-yourself (DITY) move to be reimbursed. In support of his request, the applicant submits a memorandum from his First Sergeant pertaining to his personnel property move without orders issued and a copy of his AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent Change of Station – Military. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of Master Sergeant (MSgt), E-5. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 1. PPA/ECAF recommends approval. ECAF states per Special Order AF-123381, dated 8 August 2012, the applicant was reassigned on a permanent change of station (PCS) from Arlington, Texas, to Warrenton, Missouri, with a report no later than date of 30 October 2012. Prior to the issuance of the PCS order, the applicant effected a personally procured move (PPM) of his HHG from Texas to Missouri. 2. Documentation from the applicant and his First Sergeant state that he was notified of his assignment on 12 February 2012, and advised that his PCS order would be accomplished by June 2012. He placed his house on the market in June 2012, and on 1 July 2012, the house went under contract for rental, with him being required to vacate by 1 August 2012. He secured housing at the new permanent duty location with a move- in date of 24 July 2012. He attempted to obtain a “Letter-In- Lieu of Orders” to be authorized shipment of HHG but was denied and advised by the military personnel flight (MPF) he would not need it because the orders would be issued. He also contacted the originating transportation management office (TMO) to find out the restrictions on moving personal property before receiving official orders and was not informed that moving without official orders was not authorized. He was advised by both the outgoing and incoming TMO that he should be able to perform an after-the-fact DITY move and get reimbursed. His move was completed on 27 July 2012. His PCS order was issued on 10 August 2012. When he attempted to file his paperwork with the TMO he was told that he was not entitled, as the shipment was made prior to issuance of the PCS order. 3. Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR), Volume 1, paragraph U5330-G advises that HHG transportation before a PCS order is issued is authorized if the request for transportation is supported by: a. Statement from the PCS AO or a designated representative that the member was advised before such an order was issued that it would be issued; b. Applicant-signed written agreement to pay any additional costs incurred for transportation to another point required because the new PDS named in the order is different than that named in a statement prescribed in par. U5330-G1a; c. Written applicant-signed agreement to pay the entire transportation cost (if a PCS order is not later issued to authorize the transportation). 4. Based on the information above, they concur with the applicant's request to receive payment for the PPM of his HHG from Texas to Missouri. It appears the applicant made numerous attempts to obtain the required documentation and information to effect the PPM, but was either denied or advised he would not need them. The information provided to the applicant was erroneous and unjustly prevented him from receiving payment for his PPM. The complete PPA/ECAF 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 22 March 2013 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). To date, a response has not been received. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice warranting corrective action. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with PPA/ECAF’s determination that the applicant should be reimbursed for his out-of-pocket expenses related to his personally procured move (PPM). In this respect, we agree the applicant may not have been provided appropriate counseling concerning his travel and transportation entitlements. Accordingly, we recommend 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 competent authority issued a Letter-in-Lieu of order dated 20 July 2012, and the applicant is authorized incentive payment for the PPM of his HHG from Texas to Missouri. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 5 November 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2013-00423: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 January 2013, w/atchs. Exhibit C. Letter, PPA/ECAF, dated 19 March 20132. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 22 March 2013. 1 2