RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-02468

	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:

He allocated months of his TEB to each of his dependents in milConnect, but due to a typographical error, his application was not approved.  At that time, the system did not provide any warning that his application was incomplete and would not be processed.  He recently discovered the error when he attempted to certify his dependents eligibility. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to Special Order Number AA-0708, the applicant retired from the Air Force Reserve on 1 Nov 10 and was credited with 23 years, 5 months and 18 days of active service for retirement.  Based on his total active federal military service date (TAFMSD), he would incur no service obligation with TEB approval.   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 granting the application.  At the time the applicant applied for TEB, the program was newly established and the process for transferring benefits had not been clearly defined.  The applicant attempted the application process and was under the impression all requirements were met.  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 9 May 18 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed, but it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

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 the victim of an error.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SA and finds that a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 19 April 2010, he transferred his Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits to his eligible dependents, and the transfer was approved with no additional service obligation.  

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-2017-02468 in Executive Session on 21 Jun 18:

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 14 May 17.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SA, dated 23 Apr 18.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 9 May 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.