RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-03645

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He receive full reimbursement for his Personally Procured Move (PPM). 

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He and his family planned for him to separate when his service commitment ended on 30 Jun 21.  However, he was tasked with a deployment that came up close to his planned separation from late Mar to Oct 21.  Since the deployment would take him beyond his planned separation date he could have declined, but that would force his squadron to send one of the critical care physicians instead.  This would have caused the Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to shut down (or, at the least lose 50% of their ability to operate) due to a lack of physicians able to staff while in the midst of an international pandemic.  In order to support the hospital’s mission and help the Air Force, he volunteered to stay on active duty longer.  Not only did volunteering mean a separation from his family for seven months, but it also caused a significant financial burden due to the delay of him accepting the civilian job he procured.

He and his family planned to move to be closer to family, and were already in the process of selling their house as he had accrued enough leave to start his terminal in mid-Apr.  With his deployment in Mar, his timeline was moved up.  They had already worked on enrolling their children in school at their new location and had other obligations, so waiting to move was not possible.  As such, they moved on their own in mid-Mar, just before his deployment.

He has been told even though he was deploying and then immediately separating, because he moved without orders, he will not be compensated at all.  Despite the fact he is entitled to a final move at the time of honorable discharge.  He strongly believes that his volunteering to spend more time serving this country and supporting his local Medical Center operations should not cause him to lose in excess of $10,000 in moving expenses.  Such a position is a poor repayment for his service.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably separated Air Force major (O-4).

On 1 Mar 21, according to documentation provided by the applicant, a Household Goods Bill of Lading and Freight Bill, was generated for the movement of the applicant’s household goods from XXXX to XXXX.    

On 22 Mar 21, according to Special Order XXXX, provided by the applicant, he deployed to XXXX on or about 24 Mar 21.

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 committed.  In accordance with the Joint Travel Regulation (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 6 Dec 21 for comment        (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 27 Jan 22.  He indicated that he would not be submitting an appeal.  

The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E.

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.  In accordance with JTR paragraph 010206, the applicant is not authorized travel or transportation allowances since he traveled prior to receiving travel authorization or a valid order.  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-2021-03645 in Executive Session on 1 Feb 22:

, Panel Chair
, 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 8 Nov 21.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, PPA HQ/LHE, w/atchs, dated 3 Dec 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 6 Dec 21.
Exhibit E:  Applicant’s Response, dated 27 Jan 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.