RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2019-04844

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His AF Form 899, Request and Authorization for Permanent Change of Station (PCS) – Military, dated 29 August 2019, be amended to reflect “15 August 2019” instead of “29 August 2019.” 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The Transportation Management office (TMO) and Finance officer at Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Illinois (IL), informed him that he would not be reimbursed for his do-it-yourself (DITY) move because he moved his household goods before the closeout date of his orders.  He never received a PCS briefing from his previous duty station stating such stipulation.  He was at a Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) and his servicing military personnel flight was Moody AFB, Georgia.  He requested his report no later than date (RNLTD) change from 31 January 2020 to 31 October 2019, but he did not receive the approval until 15 August 2019.  However, the home he owned in Florida sold with a closing date of 30 August 2019.  Because of the constricted period, he could not have the Air Force move him in any capacity.  He understands the denial of his entitlements; however, he was not aware of Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) Chapter C, paragraph 051302, until he arrived at his new duty location.  He understands the issues that could arise with moving prior to receiving official orders, but believes his circumstances warranted his DITY as he knew he was to PCS, both his commanders supported his RNLTD adjustment and all he was waiting for was final approval from the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC).  In the end he PCS’d to Scott AFB with his three dependents and requests his orders be amended so he receives his full DITY entitlements.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an active duty Air Force technical sergeant (E-6).

On 29 August 2019, AFPC approved the applicant’s PCS orders to Scott AFB, IL with a RNLTD date of 31 October 2019. 

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3AM, recommends denying the application.  The applicant should not have incurred/obligated any government funds until after the PCS orders effective date.  The applicant’s PCS order was authenticated on 29 August 2019, this is the first date that the member is authorized to obligate government funds.  He completed a DITY move on 15 August 2019 for which he is not eligible for reimbursement since travel occurred prior to the effective date of his PCS orders. In accordance with (IAW) Joint Travel Regulation, section 050403, travel that occurs before an order is issued is at personal expense.  
 
The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 30 July 2020 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was timely filed.

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

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3AM and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

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-2019-04844 in Executive Session on 11 September 2020 and 18 September 2020:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, dated 23 October 2019.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, HQ AFPC/DP3AM, dated 6 February 2020.
Exhibit D:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 27 July 2020.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9., for Docket Number BC-2019-04844.