RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-02184

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

Reimbursement of a Personally Procured Move (PPM) performed from XXXX to XXXX.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He did not get reimbursed for his PPM.  He picked up the rental truck on 29 Jan 21 and dropped it back off on 30 Jan 21.  When he arrived with the truck at 1300 hours on the 30 Jan 21, he downloaded an app to search for truck weigh stations.  He researched four weigh stations and found out they were all closed.  His family drove two privately owned vehicles (POV) and claimed that on the travel voucher in May 21.  He was paid a total of $347.44 for mileage and expenses to drive the two POVs.  He feels the rental truck, fuel cost for the rental, and partial weight reimbursement should be allowed.  It is not his fault the weigh stations in the vicinity of where he moved were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and would not be open for two days.  Therefore, he would have had to pay for the rental truck for two additional days until he could get his property weighed.  This would also mean he would have to secure the truck for two nights so his belongings would not be stolen.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air National Guard chief master sergeant (E-9).

The Automated Records Management System (ARMS) does not contain the applicant’s special order used for his PPM.

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/LHE recommends denying the application.  Based on the documentation provided by the applicant and analysis of the facts, there is no evidence of an error or injustice perpetrated against the applicant by the transportation community.  PPA HQ/LHE’s review of the PPM indicates had the orders been issued before the move his PPM met the intent of the JTR for actual expenses paid based on receipts; however, there will be no incentive as the Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) has stated a monetary allowance will not be paid when a Service member does not obtain certified weight tickets.  Furthermore, the applicant’s 

documentation only had a receipt for the rental truck and not for the gas.  Based on the documentation provided the transportation community can only validate the reimbursement of $353.60 for actual cost spent

AFI 24-602 V4, Personal Property Moving and Storage, paragraph 8.4.4 does not state during which phase of the PPM the member must weigh the vehicle whether at origin, in-transit or at destination.  Additionally, by participating in the PPM program the applicant signed the DD Form 2278, Application for Do It Yourself Move and Counseling Checklist, acknowledging awareness of the requirement to provide weight tickets.

The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), paragraph 010206.  Travel and transportation allowances are payable only after valid orders are issued. The order directs travel to, from, or between official points and serves as the basis for the trip and associated reimbursements. A travel authorization or order should be issued before travel begins. Travel or expenses incurred before a travel authorization or order is issued are not reimbursable, unless otherwise stated in the JTR. In unusual or urgent situations when travel must begin before a written authorization or order can be issued, a verbal authorization may be given. In such cases, the verbal authorization must be followed up in writing (called a “confirmatory order”) before allowances are paid. A travel order may only contain authority for travel and transportation allowances provided within the JTR.  If there is any conflict between a travel order and the JTR, the JTR prevails.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 17 Aug 22 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 PPA HQ/LHE 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-2021-02184 in Executive Session on 2 Feb 23:

, Chair, AFBCMR
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 17 Jun 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, PPA HQ/LHE, w/atchs, dated 1 Aug 22.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 17 Aug 22.

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.