RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00672 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to his dependents APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: Prior to his retirement out-processing, he attempted to transfer education benefits to his dependent, but was unable to due to technical difficulties with the website. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former Air National Guard member who was transferred to the Retired Reserve on 31 Dec 12. Because the applicant served on active duty since 11 Sep 01, he is entitled to benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill program in his own right. Because he was retirement eligible prior to 1 Aug 09, he would not have incurred a service commitment had he elected to transfer his benefits to his dependents prior to his retirement. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are described in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is included at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: NGB/A1Y recommends granting the requested relief noting the applicant attempted in good faith on several occasions with the assistance of his Retention Office Manager (ROM) to transfer education benefits to his dependents. Due to the policy in effect at the time the applicant retired, he did not incur an ADSC. The Post-9/11 GI Bill program became effective on 1 Aug 09. Service members approved to transfer education benefits under this program must transfer the benefits while serving on active duty. This information was disseminated via government-hosted websites prior to the effective date of the program. The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Military Services widely publicized the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the transferability feature. DoD developed a special website, hosted by Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), to facilitate the transfer of educational benefits. The website system was operational on 27 Jun 09 for the purpose of accepting transfer of benefits applications. The ANG used Retention Office Managers (ROM) at each Wing to disseminate information regarding the transfer of education benefits to unit members. The DMDC website established to facilitate the transfer of benefits has the feature to track the service member’s transfer from the initial request to any changes or modifications made to the request. This feature started tracking requests submitted beginning 14 Aug 10. A search was conducted and found no records for the applicant. The ROM from the applicant’s former unit remembers meeting with the applicant on several occasions to specifically accomplish his transfer of education benefits, but was unsuccessful due to technical difficulties with the MILCONNECT website. Due to a situation beyond the applicant’s control he reached his retirement date without completing his request to transfer his education benefits to his dependents. A complete copy of the NGB/A1Y 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 29 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, as it appears the applicant’s inability to transfer his benefits to his dependent was due to no fault of his own and, because the applicant would not have incurred a requirement to perform additional service subsequent to the transfer of his benefits, we believe it is in the interest of justice to recommend the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he elected to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits on 30 December 2012. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-00672 in Executive Session on 20 Feb 15 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Jan 14, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Memorandum, NGB/A1Y, undated. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Sep 14.