RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00278 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: The indebtedness initiated against her for exceeding her authorized weight allowance in shipment under Bill of Lading BGAC0071561, dated 17 Jan 14, under Special Order AF-147945, dated 30 Sep 13, be cancelled. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: On 15 Oct 14 a DD Form 139, Pay Adjustment Authorization, was erroneously initiated against her reflecting a debt in the amount of $2,588.39 for exceeding her authorized weight allowance in their household goods (HHGS) shipment in conjunction with their join spouse permanent change of station (PCS) from Bolling AFB to Wright Patterson AFB. Prior to their household goods packing, the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO) counselor assured her and her husband ( a Master Sergeant, awaiting his PCS orders) that moving their entire household under just her assignment orders would not be an issue (exceeding authorized weight allowance). They were told that upon filing their travel vouchers, the weight allowance would be split between her orders and her husband’s PCS orders when he received them. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: During the matter in question, the applicant was serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of master sergeant (E-7). On 30 Sep 13, according to documentation provided by the applicant, Basic Order AG-147945 identified the applicant for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with Permanent Change of Assignment (PCA) to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, with a report no later than date of 31 Oct 13. On 24 Jan 14, according to documentation provided by the applicant, household goods (HHG) were picked up at their residence in Virginia and delivered to their new residence in Ohio on 27 Jan 14. On 28 Apr 14, according to documentation provided by the applicant, Basic Order AH-077032 identified the applicant’s spouse for a join spouse assignment PCS with PCA to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, with a report no later than date of 30 Jun 14. On 17 Jul 14, Order AH-121635 amended Basic Order AG-147945 adding the join spouse statement, authorizing combined weight allowance for HHG transportation and/or NTS incident to the transfer of both under a PCS which joint residences within commuting distances of the PDSS were/are to be maintained. On 9 Sep 14, according to documentation provided by the applicant, a Joint Personal Property Shipping Office (JPPSO) counselor verified that prior to their HHG shipment, the applicant’s military spouse questioned shipping their complete HHG utilizing the applicant’s PCS orders, while awaiting his PCS orders to the same location. He was told by the JPPSO counselor that once he received his orders, present the orders and the HHG weight would be adjusted to reflect with or without dependents entitlement; giving the applicant and her spouse the understanding that nothing was being shipped or handled erroneously. 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: PPA HQ/ECAF recommends granting relief, indicating sufficient evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. When two military members married to each other at one location receive a join spouse assignment to another location, they have the option of shipping each of their weight allowance separately, or combining the allowances and making one shipment. However, each must have valid PCS orders (or letter in lieu of orders) at the time the shipment is made to receive the combined allowance. The applicant was aware of the requirement for both her and spouse to have orders upon shipment, as indicated by her asking to split the HHG into two shipments at the time of counseling, with half to be moved under her order and the other half under her spouse's order, when received. Upon consulting with the Transportation Office it appears she was advised to have the entitlements combined without regard to the requirement for both to have orders at the time of shipment. Her spouse’s Basic Order AH-077032 identifying him for a join spouse assignment PCS with PCA to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, was dated 28 Apr 14, 3 months after the HHG shipment. The debt against the applicant was in the amount of $2,588.39 for exceeding her authorized weight allowance by 4,218 pounds. The excess cost computation was based on the applicant's weight allowance only, as the spouse did not have PCS orders authorizing shipment of HHG at the time of shipment. The erroneous advice to effect a combined shipment without both having orders (or letters in lieu of orders) resulted in an injustice against the applicant by causing a debt to be initiated against her for shipping HHG in excess of her authorized weight allowance. They recommend the records be changed that by competent authority, the issue date of applicant’s spouse’s PCS order was 31 Dec 14. Further recommend that since the order was in effect at the time of shipment, the total combined prescribed weight allowance for shipment under BL BGAC0071561 is 24,000 pounds, resulting in no excess cost to the applicant. Finally, recommend the indebtedness against the applicant in the amount of $2,588.39 be cancelled, and any funds collected towards the debt be returned to her. A complete copy of the PPA HQ/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 5 Mar 15, 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 not exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. Normally, this Board insists on exhaustion of subordinate administrative review before providing relief, however, in this case, in the interest of administrative economy and fairness to the applicant, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected to the extent indicated below. 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 PPA/ECAF’s opinion that the applicant has been the victim of an error resulting in an injustice and corrective action is warranted. In this respect, we are convinced the applicant and her spouse were not provided appropriate counseling concerning shipping HHG in conjunction with their join spouse PCS. We believe the correction below will provide full and fitting relief. Accordingly, we recommend her 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 indebtedness against APPLICANT in the amount of $2,588.39 be remitted, and any funds collected towards the debt be returned to her. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-00278 in Executive Session on 9 Sep 15, 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-2015-00278 was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 20 Jan 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C.  Memorandum, PPA HQ/ECAF, dated 3 Mar 15. Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Mar 15.