RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-00599 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: Her status as a member of the honorary retired reserve be restored and she be issued a new identification (ID) card. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: She became a proud member of the honorary retired reserve on 13 Apr 94. She was robbed in the main entrance lobby at the Washington, DC Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) hospital. Her military ID card was among her stolen possessions. She has had her military ID card for over 14 years. She attempted to get a new military ID card, but her request was denied because new regulations had been written since she retired. In support of her request, the applicant provides an expanded statement and copies of correspondence from the Air Reserve Personnel Center (ARPC) related to her assignment to the retired reserve, as well as a fact sheet related to the honorary retired reserve. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: Available information indicates the applicant was transferred from the Inactive Status List Reserve Section (ISLRS) to the Retired Reserve Section on 13 Apr 94. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force, which is attached at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION ARPC/DPP recommends denial of the applicant’s request, indicating that there is no provision of law or policy that authorizes an ID card be issued to an honorary retiree. The term “honorary retired reserve,” although frequently used, was not defined in law. This retirement category was used for personnel who had served in the military but did not complete, or were not able to complete, the 20 years required to receive a full, benefited retirement. As an honorary retiree, members were issued a retired reserve ID card; however, they were only entitled to join the open mess and wear their uniform at official functions. In 1996, the Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation (QRMC) recommended the honorary retired reserve category be eliminated. DOD Instruction 1200.15, Assignment to and Transfer Between Reserve Categories, Discharge from Reserve Status, Transfer to the Retired Reserve, and Notification of Eligibility for Retired Pay, was subsequently reissued, removing this retirement category. Since this category no longer exists, the Air Force does not have the authority to issue or reissue ID cards to honorary retirees. A complete copy of the ARPC/DPP evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant contends that ARPC’s recommendation is not objective and blatantly unfair. She insists the Air Force cannot take back that which they have already given. She believes the QRMC did not have the authority to terminate honorary reserve retirement status and ID cards without including a grandfather clause. Her ID card should be replaced immediately. She served her country in an outstanding manner, but was not treated fairly with respect to her promotion potential. Four of her officer performance reports (OPR) were removed. She was involuntarily separated because the rating system was very unfair and for being born the wrong color. A complete copy of the applicant’s response is at Exhibit D. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was timely filed. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice warranting corrective action. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission, including her response to the Air Force evaluation, in judging the merits of the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. We note the applicant’s assertion in response to the Air Force evaluation the QRMC did not have the authority to recommend elimination of the honorary retired reserve. Nonetheless, in view of the fact the honorary retired reserve was not codified in law, but existed by virtue of a Secretary of Defense (SecDEF) policy; and SecDEF subsequently issued policy eliminating this category of the retired reserve, the Board cannot, even if it were so inclined, recommend restoring the applicant to her former status for which no authority exists. While the applicant may perceive the loss of her privileges as a member of the honorary retired reserve as an injustice, and while it is certainly regrettable, we find no basis for us to recommend granting the requested relief. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2010-00599 in Executive Session on 23 Sep 10, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 4 Feb 10, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, ARPC/DPP, dated 15 Apr 10. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 4 Jun 10. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 30 Jun 10.