RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS. IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-00960 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His AF Form 899, Request and Authorization For Permanent Change of Station – Military, be corrected to reflect a permanent change of station (PCS) ID Code “V” (low-cost/no-cost PCS) rather than a PCS ID Code “C” (fully-funded PCS), effective 31 July 2014. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He was miscounseled prior to his PCS that he would receive a low-cost/no-cost PCS upon the completion of his attendance at school and his basis allowance for housing (BAH) would remain the same. Upon arriving at his duty station after school, he was informed that he had received a fully-funded PCS, which would result in the loss of his BAH. He requested a low-cost/no-cost waiver or administrative relief, but his request was denied. He later learned of a member who had the same situation happen to him a year prior whose orders were later amended without issue. Also, he became aware of a fellow classmate who was issued low-cost/no-cost PCS orders upon completion of school. He was told to provide this information along with the resubmission of his waiver and the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) would amend his orders to reflect a low-cost/no-cost PCS. However, after providing this information, his request was still denied. He was told that his denial was due to him never officially being offered a low-cost/no-cost PCS and therefore he could not have been miscounseled. He was further informed that AFPC/DPAA5 indicated the PCS identification code could not be changed due to fiscal issues. This was the fifth illegitimate reasons as to why he could not correct the issue. He attempted to reengage the issue with AFPC and was informed his best course of action was to seek relief through the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR). He is the first member to PCS from school to his organization and not be given a low-cost/no-cost PCS. 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 staff sergeant (E-5). The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit B. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPAA recommends denial. The applicant’s basis in requesting a change from a fully-funded PCS to a No-Cost PCS is unfounded. The applicant was assigned to Ramstein Air Base (AB), Germany when he was selected to attend National Intelligence University (NIU) graduate school at Bolling Air Force Base (AFB), Washington, District of Columbia (DC). In order to facilitate his attendance, the applicant required a 10 month curtailment, which was ultimately approved and he PCS’d to Bolling AFB in July 2013. On 7 February 2014, the AFPC Functional Assignment Manager (FAM), received a request from Headquarters Air Force Office of Special Investigations (HQ AFOSI) that the applicant be assigned to HQ AFOSI, Quantico, Marine Corps Base (MCB), Virginia (VA) with a report no later than date (RNLTD) of 30 July 2014, pending his graduation. The FAM approved the assignment and loaded PCS ID Code “C” (Training – AU Career/Civilian School), which is used for members that PCS from a training environment. The applicant’s RNLTD was established as 31 July 2014. In August 2014, AFPC was contacted by the AFOSI Force Support Squadron (FSS), indicating the applicant was trying to apply for Officer Training School (OTS), but did not meet the time on station (TOS) requirements. The applicant wanted his PCS from school to be changed to a low-cost (PCS ID Code “V”) so he would meet the eligibility requirements. This request was denied. The PCS ID Codes are not changed to make members eligible for other programs. The applicant’s post graduate school assignment to Quantico MCB, VA was given under the notice it was pay back for money spent by the Air Force. Specifically, allowing the applicant to return from an overseas location early and filling an enlisted graduate school training slot after acquiring the knowledge he gained in school. Also, due to the applicant’s position, he should have attained an active duty service commitment (ADSC), which was not accomplished by the FSS. The FSS informed the applicant that he could request an exception; however, the approving authority was AFPC and there was no guarantee. On 4 September 2014, the FSS sent AFPC a memorandum, dated 21 August 2014, requesting a low-cost/no-cost PCS reassignment for the applicant. Upon receipt, the FAM consulted with the AFPC Assignment Policy Section. The FAM confirmed the applicant had not been offered a low-cost move through their office. Moreover, the FAM indicated that in accordance with (IAW) Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2110, Assignments, PCS moves originally approved using normal TOS, retainability, ADSC criteria, and so on, which could have been made under low-cost provisions, but were not approved in advance as low-cost moves, will not be changed after the fact, nor will PCS orders be amended later to show the PCS was made under low-cost provisions. Based upon this guidance the applicant’s request was disapproved. After his request was disapproved, the applicant requested an exception, indicating that per IAW AFI 36-2110, administrative relief can be provided when justification clearly shows that an airman was miscounseled or that the orders were unclear, incomplete, or invalid. The applicant stated he clearly had been miscounseled and told his move would not be a fully-funded. The FAM informed the applicant that Air Force members do not dictate the PCS ID type and the low cost option is determined in advance and offered to a member at the time of assignment selection. In this case, a low-cost option was not offered and not approved because the assignment was coming out of school. Assignments coming out of school are fully-funded. The FAM further noted that the applicant’s orders clearly reflected a fully-funded PCS from Germany to NIU, then from NIU to Quantico. Additionally, the FAM indicated that if the applicant’s BAH was incorrect he should contact the finance office. The FAM also told the applicant that it was their understanding that he was trying to apply for OTS and did not meet the TOS requirement; hence the reason for his request for a low-cost move, which would keep his date arrived station and date departed last duty station the same. The applicant was advised that he might be able to seek a TOS waiver for OTS IAW AFI 36-2013, Officer Training School (OTS) and Airman Commissioning Program. In addition to the above and unbeknownst to the FAM, on 29 August 2014, the applicant had submitted a BAH Waiver Request to USAF Pentagon AF-A1 Housing Waivers. IAW the Joint Federal Travel Regulation (JFTR), a member without dependents can only request a BAH waiver for the old duty station or home of record (HOR) under the conditions of a low-cost or no-cost PCS, as defined by AFI 36-2001; therefore, his request was denied since he did not meet the criteria. On 16 September 2014, the FAM was informed by HQ AFOSI that prior graduate students from NIU had been offered low-cost moves and requested clarification of the policy. The FAM informed HQ AFOSI that this was in error and moves from a training environment should have all been fully-funded according to AFPC Assignment Policy. On 6 October 2014, the FAM was contacted by the applicant and his first sergeant and they explained the issue was not about OTS, but about losing BAH. They referenced another member’s orders that had been changed and indicated the applicant was entitled to the same. The FAM was provided with the other member’s orders and other information. The FAM agreed to research the matter and re-engage with AFPC Assignment Policy section. On 10 October 2014, AFPC/DPAA5 indicated that IAW AFI 36-2110 and with the assistance of HQ AFPC/DPAPP, it was determined the applicant’s move could not be changed from a fully-funded to a low-cost PCS. Conversely, PCS moves originally approved as low-cost moves will not be changed to fully-funded moves without full justification and approval by HQ AFPC/DPAPA. Administrative relief can be provided only when justification clearly shows a member was miscounseled or that the orders were unclear, incomplete, or invalid. Otherwise, all requests for retroactive amendments must be submitted through the AFBCMR process. The applicant was never offered a low-cost PCS from the AFPC/FAM. Thus, his assertion that he was miscounseled is incorrect. The applicant PCS’d to HQ AFOSI/Quantico, MCB, VA via a fully-funded PCS as required. A complete copy of the AFPC/DPAA evaluation is at Exhibit B. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 11 September 2015 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C). As of this date, no response has been received by this office. 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 an 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 (OPR) and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion the applicant has not been the victim of an error of injustice. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the requested relief. THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material 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 Docket Number BC-2015-00960 in Executive Session on 12 November 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: Panel Chair Member Member The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 23 October 2014, w/atchs. Exhibit B.  Memorandum, AFPC/DPAA, dated 26 May 2015. Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 11 September 2015.