RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-00250

	COUNSEL: 

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be allowed to transfer his Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits (TEB) to his eligible dependents.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

In 2010, he submitted his application for TEB through the milConnect website and believed the transfer to be complete.  In 2016, he discovered that his request was rejected, because he failed to sign the Statement of Understanding (SOU).  During the time of transfer, the website interface did not state that additional paperwork was required and he never received any correspondence, e-mail or otherwise, notifying him that he needed to sign a SOU.  Additionally, he was on a demanding 4-month temporary duty (TDY) assignment with limited access to e-mail, and the Total Force Service Center (TFSC) cannot provide any documentation that they contacted him about the rejected application.  The reasons for not completing the SOU were outside of his control and he fulfilled his 4-year ADSC requirement to transfer his education benefits.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant initially entered the Regular Air Force on 4 Jan 05 and was discharged on 9 Jun 17.  He was credited with 12 years, 5 months and 6 days of active service.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP3SA recommends denying the application because there is no evidence of an error or injustice on the part of the Air Force.  On 14 Oct 10, the applicant submitted his TEB application and on 3 Nov 10, the application was rejected.  The applicant did not have 6 years of service in the Armed Forces on the date of election and was not eligible for TEB.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 21 Jan 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an error and injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SA and finds that a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records. 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-00250 in Executive Session on 03 May 18:

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 31 Jan 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SA, w/atchs dated 9 Jan 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 21 Jan 18.
Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.