RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-03987 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to his dependents. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: While on active duty, he received an email instructing him to go to the Veteran’s Administration (VA) website, to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, so he transferred 33 months to his wife and 1 month to each of his 3 dependent children. It was always his intention to transfer his Post-9/11 GI benefits. The applicant states he cannot locate any supporting documents and is missing two boxes of records from his move. All he has is his word, as a retired senior noncommissioned officer (SNCO) and an outstanding record for the past 25 years. The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 1 Apr 11, the applicant retired in the grade of master sergeant after serving 25 years, 2 months and 14 days on active duty. 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 B. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: HQ AFPC/DPSIT recommends denial. The Air Force, in implementing its guidance, developed a communication plan that used the Air Force Personnel Center Commander and the Education and Training Sections at each installation to serve as spokespersons to communicate the Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer-to-dependent program using internal media, internal communication tools, and external trade publications. There were various news articles about the Post-9/11 GI Bill; most noted the requirement to be on duty on the 1 Aug 09 effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill to be eligible to transfer benefits. Some articles mentioned that service members on active duty or in the selected reserve could transfer benefits. Notably, since 1 Aug 09, the Air Force approved over 50,000 transferability applications. DPSI states the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the DoD and the Military Services widely publicized the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the transferability feature. DoD developed a special website, hosted by Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), to facilitate the transfer of educational benefits. The website system was operational on 27 Jun 09 for the purpose of accepting transfer of benefits applications. The Directive Type Memo (DTM) and Air Force Instruction state the transfer must be made while the member is serving in the Armed Forces. Both documents were published on government-hosted websites prior to 1 Aug 09, the effective date of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. On 4 Oct 11, the applicant contacted the AFPC Service Center; however, there is no record he ever applied previously/transferred to his dependents for the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The complete DPSIT evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: The applicant reiterates his contention that he submitted his request to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits via the VA website; but now for some reason, its not part of his records. He called the AFPC service center to find out what was going on and was told the VA website was “messing up and not accepting most entries” and he was not the first person to call regarding this issue. He believes there is something wrong with the way the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are/were transferred, since he is not the only person experiencing these problems. He knows he transferred his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits; it would be a shame for his family not to receive these well—deserved and earned benefits. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit E. ________________________________________________________________ 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 error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant’s complete submission 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 that the applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice; the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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 BC-2011- 03987 in Executive Session on 3 Apr 12, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 5 Oct 11. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. HQ AFPC/DPSIT, Letter, dated 31 Oct 11. Exhibit D. SAF/MRBR, Letter, dated 23 Nov 11. Exhibit E. Applicant’s Letter, dated 7 Dec 11.