RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03947 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: He be reimbursed $3,780.95 for the cost of his personally procured move (PPM) from Vandenberg Air Force Base (AFB), California (CA), to Colorado Springs, Colorado (CO). ________________________________________________________________ _ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was advised by the Traffic Management Office (TMO) at Vandenberg AFB and the Total Force Service Center in San Antonio, Texas (TX), that he could move because he had a follow- on assignment to Colorado. When he went to the TMO to file a claim for reimbursement, they denied his claim because he moved prior to the issuance of orders. He was misled and is entitled to the moving expenses paid. His research and questions asked to the professionals, assured him that he could go ahead and move and be reimbursed for costs, as long as they did not exceed the government rate. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ _ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is currently serving in the Regular Air Force in the grade of master sergeant (E-7). The remaining relevant facts, extracted from the applicant’s military service records, are contained in the Air Force evaluation at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ _ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: PPA HQ/CCC recommends approval. ECAF states that per Special Order AF-025130, dated 19 December 2011, the applicant made a permanent change of station (PCS) move from Vandenberg AFB, CA, to Osan Air Base, Korea, with a follow-on assignment to Petersen AFB, CO. In June 2011, the applicant personally arranged with World Wide Van Lines to have his HHG shipped from CA to CO in anticipation of the follow-on assignment to CO. After receipt of the PCS order in December 2011, the applicant visited the TMO at Vandenberg AFB to start the process for reimbursement for the PPM from CA to CO. He was advised reimbursement was not authorized because the PPM was accomplished prior to the issuance of the order. The Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR) Volume 1, Paragraph U5330-G, advises that HHG transportation before a PCS order is issued is authorized if the request for transportation is supported by: a statement from the PCS authorizing official or designated representative that the member was advised before such an order was issued, that it would be issued; applicant signed agreement to pay for all costs if the new permanent duty station named in the order is different; and written applicant– signed agreement to pay for all costs if orders are not subsequently issued. The Air Force’s Supplement to the JFTR, paragraph 2.5.5.2 advises that a member, who moves HHG at personal expense prior to issuance of an order or a Letter-In- Lieu of Order, is not authorized reimbursement. Paragraph U5320-D.2 advises that a member who personally arranges for transportation of HHG is authorized actual cost reimbursement not to exceed the Government’s constructed Best Value transportation cost of the HHG weight actually transported. It appears the applicant made the decision to effect shipment in June 2011 based on advice received from the TMO at Vandenberg AFB, and the Total Force Service Center at Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) in San Antonio, TX. Based on information in the case file, it appears erroneous information received regarding authorization for shipment prior to issuance of orders resulted in an injustice against the applicant, and their office concurs that he should be reimbursed for funds personally expended for the PPM of HHG from CA to CO. Therefore, they recommend the record be corrected to reflect that under competent authority, a Letter-In-Lieu of Orders, dated 1 June 2011, was issued to authorize shipment of HHG from CA to CO. In addition, the record be corrected to reflect the applicant was authorized reimbursement of funds expended for PPM of HHG from CA to CO, based on receipt received from the moving contractor showing the actual amount paid. The complete PPA HQ/ECAF 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 23 October 2012, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received no response. ________________________________________________________________ _ 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 injustice. We note the Air Force office of primary responsibility recommends correcting the record to reflect competent authority issued a Letter-In-Lieu of orders authorizing the applicant to a PPM of HHG so he can be reimbursed for funds expended for his move from CA to CO. They based their recommendation on evidence indicating the applicant received erroneous information from the TMO at Vandenberg AFB and the Total Force Service Center at AFPC, regarding authorization for shipment prior to the receipt of orders, resulting in an injustice against the applicant. We concur with the evaluation and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that the applicant has been the victim of an injustice. Accordingly, we recommend the applicant’s record 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 competent authority issued a Letter-In-Lieu of orders, dated 1 June 2011, authorizing shipment of household goods (HHG) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to Colorado Springs, Colorado; and, that he was authorized reimbursement of $3,780.95 for his personally procured move. ________________________________________________________________ _ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03947 in Executive Session on 29 May 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member All members voted to correct the records, as recommended. The following documentary evidence for AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012- 03947 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Aug 12, w/atchs. Exhibit C. Letter, PPA HQ/ECAF, dated 15 Oct 12. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 23 Oct 12.