RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2017-04061

JEFFERY a. LOSSING	COUNSEL:  NONE

	HEARING:  NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be allowed to transfer his Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits (TEB) to his dependent stepdaughter.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was misinformed about when his stepdaughter’s benefits would expire.  He did not transfer his GI Bill benefits because he did not receive complete information.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is currently serving on active duty in the grade of technical sergeant.  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.  The applicant contends he did not know he needed to allocate months prior to dependents reaching age 23 to ensure eligibility. Since the inception of the TEB website, when a member submits a TEB request and does not allocate months of benefits to a dependent, a message appears which states the following:

Warning:  You have one or more eligible family members to whom you have not transferred months. If you do not transfer months to these individuals before you separate from the Armed Forces, you will not be able to do so afterwards. These family members will no longer be eligible for transferred educational assistance. Would you like to continue submitting your transfer request?

Two options are provided: a) OK [submits the request for approval in milConnect] or b) Cancel
[allows the member to make changes prior to submission].  The member selected the option to
submit his request, which was subsequently approved. When the member’s dependent daughter 
reached age 23 on 1 February 2017, she became ineligible for benefits in accordance with AFI 36-2649, Voluntary Education Program, Attachment 13, A13.18.4.2.6.

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 11 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 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-2017-04061 in Executive Session on 20 Sep 18:

	Mr. Clifford D. Tompkins, Chair Member
	Mr. Ricky L. Bennett, Panel Member
	Ms. Gail P. Forest, Panel Member

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

	Exhibit A:  Application, DD Form 149, dated 29 Aug 17.
	Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
	Exhibit C:  Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP3SA, w/atchs, dated 12 Mar 18.
	Exhibit D:  Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 11 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.