RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02184

	COUNSEL:

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST.  He be allowed to amend his transfer of education benefit (TEB) to include his younger son.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTION.  He was never told that he had to allocate at least one month of education benefits to each dependent.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS.  The applicant is a retired Air National Guard (ANG) lieutenant colonel.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  ARPC/DPTT recommends denying the application.  The applicant failed to allocate benefits to each of his dependents prior to leaving military service.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill became effective 1 Aug 09 and service members were required to be on active duty or selected reserve in order to participate in the TEB.  The TEB must be executed, designation of a dependent and the number of months allocated for the TEB prior to the service member leaving military service.

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) had information on their websites explaining the transfer process and contact information.

The applicant applied to transfer his Post 9-11 GI Bill benefits on 14 Jul 09 and allocated all 36 months of benefits to his oldest son.  The applicant served until his Mandatory Separation Date (MSD) 1 Jul 16, and was placed in the Retired Reserves.  The applicant did not make changes to his months of allocated benefit prior to leaving military service.

The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION.  The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 8 Mar 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response. 

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was timely filed.  

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.  

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with ARPC/DPTT and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board finds no basis to recommend granting the requested relief.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS:  The APPLICANT be informed that the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION: The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2017-02184 in Executive Session on 1 May 18:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A: Applicant’s application, DD Form 149, dated 18 Apr 17, w/atchs.
Exhibit B: Documentary evidence, including excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C: Advisory opinion, ARPC/DTTP, dated 16 Feb 18, w/atch.
Exhibit D: Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBR to applicant, dated 8 Mar 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.