RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02234 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be allowed to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational benefits to his dependents. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was not informed by the retention office manager (ROM) that he had to transfer the benefit over to his wife before he retired. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant retired in the grade of staff sergeant (SSgt, E-5) effective 26 Sep 2011. 38 U.S.C. § 3323(b)(1) and (2) require the Secretary to provide members with information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill as specified in DoD regulations. DTM 09-003, dated 22 Jun 2009, required the Military Departments to provide and document individual preseparation or release from active duty counseling on Post- 9/11 GI Bill benefits. The Air Force issued AFI 36-2306 AFGM 1 on 23 Jul 2009. The AFGM 1, paragraph (4)(c)(15)(d)) requires pre-separation counseling, documented on DD Form 2648, Preseparation Counseling Checklist for Active Component (AC), Active Guard Reserve (AGR), Active Reserve (AR), Full Time Support (FTS), and Reserve Program Administrator (RPA) Service Members. However, the Air Force did not engage in a Service-wide effort to seek out members who were already on terminal leave, or who had already completed their pre-separation counseling, in order to provide them with additional counseling on the Post-9/11 GI Bill. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: NGB/A1YR recommends approval. A1YR states they contacted the ROM at the applicant’s former Wing to obtain additional information. The ROM stated he could not find any documentation which indicated the applicant received a Post-9/11 GI Bill Transfer of Educational benefits briefing prior to his retirement. The complete A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit C. NGB/A1PS concurs with A1YR’s advisory and recommends approval. The complete A1PS evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: On 30 Aug 2012, copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. To date, a response has not been received (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 error or injustice. While we note the steps the Air Force took 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. Therefore, in the interest of justice, we find the evidence sufficient to grant the requested relief and recommend his records be corrected as indicated below. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 25 Sep 2011, he elected to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits to his dependents. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC- 2012-02234 in Executive Session on 12 Mar 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the record as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR BC-2012- 02234: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 16 May 2012. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, NGB/A1YR, dated 13 Jul 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, NGB/A1PS, dated 16 Jul 2012. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 Aug 2012.