RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03511 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His record be corrected to reflect that he accomplished a Post- 9/11 GI Bill transfer of educational benefits (TEB) to his dependents in 2010. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He submitted a request to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill transfer of educational benefits (TEB) to his dependents in 2010 and completed the required 4-year retainability extension. He was told the extension would be updated and the paperwork would be sent to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for processing. When he looked up the status of his TEB, he found, the paperwork was not submitted to the DVA, the website was not updated and he would have to extend for two more years to obtain the required retainability. This was not his fault and at this time, he is not willing to extend for two more years. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of Senior Master Sergeant, E-8. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSIT recommends approval. DPSIT states the applicant was not given the proper information that he was able to transfer the Post-9/11 GI Bill TEB to his dependents. The applicant signed up for the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefit for himself by going to the DVA website and also extended to obtain the necessary retainability but never received the official Statement of Understanding (SOU) from the Total Force Service Center. Based on this information they recommend approval of the applicant’s request. The complete AFPC/DPSIT 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 17 September 2012, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). To date, a response has not been received. ________________________________________________________________ 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 an injustice. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s complete submission, we are persuaded that relief is warranted. In this respect, we note the applicant has provided documentation substantiating he applied for the Transfer of Education Benefits (TEB) for his dependents. We also note the comments of the Air Force office of primary responsibility indicating the applicant signed up to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill educational benefits to his dependents by going to the DVA website and also extended to obtain the necessary retainability but never received the official Statement of Understanding (SOU) from the Total Force Service Center. In view of this and noting the applicant did take affirmative action to transfer his educational benefits, we find a sufficient basis to conclude that he has been the victim of an injustice and therefore, 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 APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 15 March 2010, he elected to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits to his dependents. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 9 May 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03511 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 20 July 2012, w/atch. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSIT, dated 4 September 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 September 2012. AFBCMR 1500 West Perimeter Road, Suite 3700 Joint Base Andrews NAF Washington, MD 20762 Dear: Your application to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records, AFBCMR BC-2012-03511 has been finalized. The Board determined that the military records should be corrected as set forth in the attached copy of a Memorandum for the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force. The office responsible for making the correction will inform you when your records have been changed. After correction, the records will be reviewed to determine if you are entitled to any monetary benefits as a result of the correction of records. This determination is made by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS-IN), Indianapolis, Indiana, and involves the assembly and careful checking of finance records. It may also be necessary for the DFAS-IN to communicate directly with you to obtain additional information to ensure the proper settlement of your claim. Because of the number and complexity of claims workload, you should expect some delay. We assure you, however, that every effort will be made to conclude this matter at the earliest practical date. Sincerely, Attachments: 1. Record of Board Proceedings 2. Directive cc: DFAS-IN AFBCMR BC-2012-03511 MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code it is directed that: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to, be corrected to show that on 15 March 2010, he elected to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill Educational Benefits.