RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-02121

	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be reimbursed for his Do It Yourself (DITY) move from Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) to Beale AFB in the amount of $2,457.20 and $45.10.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Due to his personal situation of going through a divorce, he accomplished a DITY move over several months after receiving his Permanent Change of Station (PCS) notification; however, he made the move before he received PCS orders.  He felt forced to house-hunt at Beale AFB CA, because he needed his belongings.  

He performed several TDYs to Beale from September 2016 through May 2017.  In accordance with AFI 24-501, The Air Force Do-It-Yourself Move Program, states “… may authorize payment of monetary allowance when an event beyond a member’s control prevents prior approval and issuance of DD Form 2278, APPLICATION FOR DO IT YOURSELF MOVE AND COUNSELING CHECKLIST.”  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving in the Air Force in the grade of major.  

Special Order AK-038968, dated 30 Jan 17, reflects the applicant was reassigned on a PCS from Edwards AFB CA to Beale AFB CA, with a report no later than date of 30 May 17.  The official notification of the PCS was received in October 2016.  Between 21 Aug 16 and 24 Apr 17, he received 11 TDY orders, mostly from Edwards AFB to Beale AFB and return, ranging from 5 days to 31 days.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

PPA HQ/PPE recommends denying the application.  The transportation of the applicant's personally procured move (PPM) occurred prior to the issuance of the PCS order; therefore, reimbursement is not authorized.  The references in the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) regarding transportation prior to issuance of orders are specific in order to receive payment/reimbursement for travel and transportation, an order or letter-in-lieu of order reflecting authorization (to include funding information) must be issued prior to shipment. We understand the applicant's decision to move his property when he did; however, there was no authorization without the orders and therefore, no authorization for incentive payment/reimbursement.
The JTR is the basic statutory regulation governing a member's travel and transportation at government expense and has the force and effect of law.  Paragraph O10206 advises that travel and transportation allowances are payable only after valid orders are issued and travel or expenses incurred before a travel authorization or order is issued are not reimbursable.  

AFI 24- 501 allows an incentive payment (95% of the cost the government would have paid to ship the same property) of a monetary allowance for a PPM when an event beyond a member's control prevents prior approval and issuance of a DD Form 2278, if a member has accomplished all other aspects of the PPM procedures, i.e., possessed a valid authority (order) prior to accomplishing the move and obtained necessary weights or qualified constructed weight (constructed weight must be obtained and certified before the move is performed, otherwise reimbursement is only authorized for actual expenses).  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 19 Jun 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 or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of PPA HQ/PPE 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-2017-02121 in Executive Session on 1 Aug 18:

	, Panel Chair
	, Member
	, Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 4 Apr 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, PPA HQ/PPE, dated 24 Apr 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 19 Jun 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 pertaining to Docket Number BC-2017-02121.