RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 			DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-02700 

				COUNSEL: NONE

 						HEARING DESIRED: NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed for his personally procured movement (PPM) of his household goods (HHG).  

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His program director advised him to report to Offutt AFB, NE prior to receiving orders, which is allowed by the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR), para 5208-E.  

He initially received his orders for active duty training on 16 December 2015 and knew for quite some time he would be stationed at Offutt AFB, NE in June 2016.  He was contacted by his new program director and residency coordinator regarding the details of his orders. It was suggested he do a PPM to ensure his HHG would make it from Madison, WI.

Prior to signing a contract with the movers, he contacted his residency coordinator who advised him to call his traffic management office (TMO).  He contacted TMO who told him he would need a DD Form 2278, Application for Do It Yourself Move and Counseling Checklist, and DD Form 1351-2, Travel Voucher or Sub-voucher, as well as empty and loaded weight tickets for his rental truck, which he filled out and submitted per their instructions.

As his report date approached, he still had not received orders.  He contacted his gaining unit and the program director informed him there were administrative issues delaying the receipt of his orders.  He was given instructions to report with or without physical orders.  As such, he proceeded with the move on 30 May 2016, in order to arrive by 1 June 2016, which was the report date given.  

Upon arrival, his TMO denied reimbursement stating he should not have moved prior to having orders in hand.  He showed them the confirmatory letter given to him by his program director instructing him to move prior to receipt of the orders.  His TMO advised that only the AFBCMR would be able to approve reimbursement.  This is an injustice as he followed the directions given to him.   

Additionally, the JTR, para 5208-E states an exception may be authorized for advance travel if supported by a designated representative that the member was advised before such an order was issued that it would be issued.  

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is in the Regular Air Force currently serving in the grade of captain (O-3).  

The applicant provides empty and loaded weight ticket receipts for his PPM dated 29 and 31 May 2016, respectively.  

According to his AF IMT 766, Extended Active Duty Order, Special Order AH-0726 dated 1 June 2016, he was assigned to the 55th Medical Operations Squadron, Offutt AFB, NE with an effective date of duty of 4 June 2016.  

In support of his request, the applicant provides a letter from the 55th Medical Operations Squadron, Residency Program Director dated 13 June 2016 stating he was given verbal instructions to report to the local area of Offutt AFB, NE prior to receiving orders due to extenuating circumstances. 

The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C.    

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

PPA HQ/PPE recommends approval.  The delay in the issuance of his Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order and lack of counseling regarding the letter-in-lieu of option created an injustice against the applicant by denying him reimbursement for his out-of-pocket expenses he paid for the shipment of his HHG.  PPA HQ/PPE recommends the applicant’s order, Special Order AH-0726, be amended to reflect a date of 1 May 2016 and that the applicant resubmit his PPM documentation to the TMO at Offutt AFB for the processing of actual cost reimbursement or incentive payment, whichever provides him the greater benefit.

The JTR is the basic statutory regulation governing a member’s travel and transportation entitlements at government expense   and effect of law per para 1000-C.  Paragraph 2200-D1/2 advises that travel reimbursement is not authorized when travel is performed before receipt of a written order and expenses incurred before receipt of a written order are not reimbursable.  Paragraph 5208-E authorizes HHG transportation before an order is issued if a member initiates a request and the request is supported by a statement by the action officer that the member was advised and submitted a written statement that they agreed to pay any additional costs incurred for transportation to another point should the station of assignment in the order be different.  The “Letter-in-Lieu” statement from the AO must be issued prior to transportation of the HHG.   The references in the JTR are specific in order to receive reimbursement for travel and transportation.  However, documentation in this case indicates the applicant was verbally instructed to report to his duty station prior to receiving orders.  Also, it appears the applicant was not informed of the option to obtain a letter in-lieu of orders when he initially contacted the TMO regarding performing a PPM.    

A complete copy of the PPA HQ/PPE 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 21 December 2016 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has been the victim of an error or injustice.  Therefore, we 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 his AF IMT 766, Extended Active Duty Order, Special Order AH-0726, Item 22, Date, show “20160501,” instead of “20160601.”  

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2016-02700 in Executive Session on 7 September 2017 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 27 June 2016, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.  Memorandum, PPA HQ/PEE, dated 25 November 2016.
	Exhibit D.  Letter, AFBCMR, dated 21 December 2016.