RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00640 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

He be allowed to apply to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits 
to his dependents with an effective date of 12 Aug 09. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He applied to transfer his benefits on 12 Aug 09. However, he 
was on temporary duty (TDY) during the application period and did 
not receive the notifications requesting he complete a Statement 
of Understanding. 

 

The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of 
Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt). 

 

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: 

 

AF/A1PA indicates that both the Department of Defense (DoD) and 
Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) widely publicized the Post-
9/11 GI Bill and the transferability feature. DoD developed a 
special website, hosted by the Defense Manpower Data Center 
(DMDC), to facilitate the transfer of education benefits (TEB). 
The website was operational on 27 Jun 09 for the purpose of 
accepting transfer of benefits applications. The published 
guidance at the time indicated the transfer must be made while 
the member is serving in the Armed Forces. The Air Force, in 
implementing its guidance, developed a comprehensive 
communication plan which included the use of internal media, 
internal communication tools, and external trade publications. 


There were various news articles about the program; most noted 
the requirement to be on duty on the 1 Aug 09 effective date to 
be eligible to transfer benefits. Notwithstanding the above, the 
Board could find the applicant did not receive timely 
notification of the actions due for his application. If the 
Board supports the applicant’s contention and directs the 
transfer of benefits with an effective date of 12 Aug 09, the 
applicant must complete a memorandum of understanding agreeing to 
ADSC ending on 11 Aug 13, even though he has already 
extended/reenlisted through 25 Apr 15. 

 

The complete AF/A1PA 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 13 May 11 for review and comment within 30 days. As of this 
date, no response has been received by this office (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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. While we 
note the steps the Air Force office of primary responsibility 
indicates were taken to inform eligible personnel of this new 
benefit, it appears that through no fault of the applicant, he 
was not timely made aware of his eligibility and the steps 
necessary to transfer his benefits to his dependents. In 
addition, we find no basis to question the applicant's account in 
this matter and do not find it reasonable that he would have 
knowingly elected not to pursue use of this important 
entitlement. Therefore, we elect to resolve any doubt in this 
matter in behalf of the applicant and recommend the 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 on 12 August 
2009 he elected to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational 
Benefits, provided he completes a memorandum of understanding 


agreeing to an Active Duty Service Commitment (ADSC) ending on 
11 Aug 13. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2011-00640 in Executive Session on 25 Aug 11 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 31 Jan 11. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, HQ USAF/A1PA, dated 4 May 11. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 13 May 11. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair