RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-00272

XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: YES

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

He be reimbursed $1,395.00 for the personal shipment of his Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) from XXXXXX, XX to XXXXX, XX.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, he was not authorized to take leave en route to pick up his POV and ordered to proceed directly from his technical school at XXXXXXXX to his new Permanent Duty Station (PDS) at XXXXXXXXX.  As such, the Traffic Management Office (TMO) representative told him that he was authorized to ship his vehicle from his home of record in XXXXXXXXXXXX to his new duty station.  However, his orders did not have the required statement, “Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions member is authorized to ship POV in the CONUS per JTR052901-A2.”  When he arrived at XXXXXXXX, he requested that his orders be amended, but his Military Personnel Flight (MPF) was on a full telework schedule and had increased wait times.   This subsequently resulted in the denial of his request because the COVID-19 travel policy had changed by the time they reviewed his request.  

Since he needed his vehicle, he decided to personally pay for a company to ship while he continued to try to resolve the error and with the help of his first sergeant, his orders were eventually amended to authorize the shipment of his POV.   He has since tried to be reimbursed for the expense, but the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) does not have guidance that authorizes the reimbursement for shipping a POV and therefore he is now applying to the AFBCMR to correct this error.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an Air Force airman first class (E-3).

According to the documents provided by the applicant an analysis of the facts, the following is provided:

	On 8 Apr 20, Special Order Number AN-082044 was approved and authorized the applicant a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) from XXXXXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXXXXX with a report not later than date (RNLTD) of 13 Sep 20.

	On 9 Sep 20, a receipt from the Road Runner Auto Transport indicates the applicant paid $1,395.00 to have his vehicle transported from XXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX.  

	On 10 Nov 20, Order number AO-015346 amended Special Order AN-082044 with the statement, “Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions member is authorized to ship POV in the CONUS per JTR052901-A2.”

For more information, see the applicant’s complete submission excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit A and the advisory at Exhibit B.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

PPA HQ/PPE, recommends granting the application.  JTR, paragraph 052901-A2 does provide an allowance to transport a POV within the CONUS when a Service member is physically unable to drive or has insufficient time to drive and report to the permanent duty station (PDS) as ordered. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic HQ AETC Commander and HQ AF/A1P requested a ruling from the Per Diem, Travel, and Transportation Allowance Committee (PDTATAC) inquiring if technical training graduates were ordered to proceed directly from technical training schools to the new PDS if they would then be categorized as “must move personnel” and would this situation meet the intent of JTR, paragraph 052901-A2.  The PDTATAC ruled that the order does meet the JTR intent.  The order was issued directing technical training graduates to proceed directly to the new PDS.  However, there is no provision in JTR, paragraph 052901 that allows a Service member to personally procure POV transportation within the CONUS and receive reimbursement. 

Due to COVID-19, the Stop Movement Order and lack of assistance the applicant received, he should be reimbursed $1,395.00 for the shipment of his POV.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit B.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 2 Mar 21 for comment (Exhibit C), 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 the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of PPA HQ/PPE and finds a preponderance of the evidence substantiates the applicant’s contentions.  Therefore, the Board recommends correcting the applicant’s records as indicated below.

4.  The applicant has not shown a personal appearance, with or without counsel, would materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

RECOMMENDATION

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that he be reimbursed $1,395.00 for the shipment of his Privately Owned Vehicle (POV) from XXXXXXXX to XXXXXXXXX. 

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-2021-00272 in Executive Session on 14 Apr 21:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

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

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 30 Nov 20.
Exhibit B:	Advisory opinion, PPA HQ/PPE, w/atchs dated 2 Mar 21.
Exhibit C:	Notification of advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 2 Mar 21.

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.