RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2021-01995

XXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE
	
 	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

His Permanent Change of Station (PCS) order, Special Order XXXX, with a 19 Jun 20 effective date, be changed to reflect an effective date of 19 May 20.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

The issuance of his PCS orders was delayed due to COVID-19, which impacted PCS moves in the summer of 2020.  He had been living in XXXX and commuting to XXXX before he received his assignment notification to XXXX.  His original intent was to get PCS orders issued in May 20 in order to make a local move and claim it as a Personally Procured Move  for his PCS.  His PCS window was supposed to change to Dec 20, but he was able to retain the original report not later than date (RNLTD) due to concurrence from gaining and losing commanders.  The officer back-filling his billet, received an Exception to Policy to PCS in Jul 20.  He projected a 1 Sep departure date to allow a month overlap as required by his losing commander.  Given these circumstances there was no reason for him to believe his PCS orders would not be issued.  He requests the date of his orders be amended so he can receive his move entitlements.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Space Force lieutenant colonel (O-5).

On 19 Jun 20, Special Order Number XXXX, authorized the applicant to PCS to XXXX with a RNLTD of 30 Sep 20.

On 1 Sep 20, the applicant’s Report on Individual Personnel (RIP) reflects his Effective Duty Date at XXXX.

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

APPLICABLE AUTHORITY/GUIDANCE

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.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3AM recommends denying the application.  The applicant was not authorized to move any household goods or make any commitments prior to his orders issuance effective date.

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 Jul 21 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.  In accordance with JTR, paragraph 010206, members are not authorized travel and transportation allowances before valid orders are issued.  While the applicant provides numerous reasons why his PCS orders should be amended, he has provided no evidence his PCS move was considered an unusual or urgent circumstance that required travel before a travel authorization or order could be issued. As such, travel or transportation allowances incurred before valid orders were issued are not reimbursable.  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-2021-01995 in Executive Session on 3 Mar 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 17 Sep 20.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3AM, dated 30 Jun 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 6 Jul 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.