RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2022-01787

XXXX X. XXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING REQUESTED: NO

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

1.   Reimbursement of the cost to move out of base housing following his separation from Active Duty.

2.  Extension of his Home of Record (HOR) travel and transportation entitlement.

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

He lived on base housing when he separated from Active Duty on 26 Feb 17.  He was told by Traffic Management Office (TMO) personnel, in order to preserve his HOR move, he had to move himself off base.  At that time, he was enrolled in a school program and wanted to retain his HOR move so he could move back home when he completed school.  Therefore, his family moved themselves off base.  He later learned TMO misled him and the Air Force was required to move him out of base housing.  He no longer has any receipts; his out-of-pocket cost was for moving truck rental and his family's labor.  He believes it would be fair to repay him for the weight allowance from his previous Air Force permanent change of station (PCS) move in accordance with the mileage cost of moving off base.  He is aware his household goods exceeded the weight allowance for his rank at the time.

Following his HOR move extensions while a full-time student, his final extension expired before he was able to move.  He had a job lined up and it fell through at the last minute.  He was then forced to renew his housing lease and accept a local job.  Due to COVID shutdowns that followed, his family was forced out of their house, and he had to sign another lease.  Consequently, his family received no moving benefits following his separation.

He recently reached out to the Air Force Personal Property Activity (PPA) HQ and was advised by the Chief of Entitlements and Extensions to submit this request and extension denial letter.  He is attempting to initiate this now because his lease has finally expired, and he is paying a $500 per month premium in order to stay month-to-month.

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is a currently serving Air Force Reserve master sergeant (E-7).

On 26 Feb 17, according to the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, he was honorably discharged from the Regular Air Force.

On 27 Feb 17, according to Reserve Order Number XXXX, dated 10 Mar 17, the applicant enlisted in the Air Force Reserve.

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 by the local TMO, except for the applicant’s statement of what he said he was advised by TMO.  PPA HQ/LHE contacted the local TMO to research the applicant’s claim of miscounseling and was unable to find any evidence to validate the claim due to personnel and management changes over the past five years.  The applicant stated in his application he does not have any documentation to support his claim of making a move from government quarters to the local community; therefore, PPA HQ/LHE has no way to calculate what the Government would have reimburse the applicant for his out-of-pocket expenses for the movement of his personal property.  Regarding the applicant’s request for an HOR move extension, the six-year period to qualify for a final extension will be Feb 23.  The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), paragraph 5000-B6.b.4.(a), advises an extension must not be authorized/approved if it extends travel and transportation allowances for more than six years from the date of separation, release from active duty, or retirement.  The applicant has not presented any supporting documentation that would allow further extensions up to six years as outlined in the JTR.

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 28 Jul 22, for comment       (Exhibit D), and the applicant replied on 3 Aug 22.  In his response, the applicant contended his local TMO did not inform him he was not authorized a government funded move out of base housing and into the local area.  Instead, he was told the government funded move would count as his HOR move.  He did not want to lose his HOR move; therefore, he declined the local move.  Had he been counseled he could have received a local move and retain his HOR move, he would have chosen this option.  Additionally, with regard to his HOR move, he has applied for extensions and due to multiple job offers falling through, he committed to a local employer.  He continued to look for jobs until he was forced into a new housing lease in 2021.  He has included documents supporting his job search and timeline.  Finally, he appreciates the careful consideration of his application and would be grateful for reimbursement of his local move and HOR move extension to Feb 23.

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 this respect, the Board noted the applicant did not provide any evidence to substantiate a cost associated to his move in 2017.  Additionally, he has not provided evidence to support miscounseling or that an extension to his HOR move entitlement is warranted.  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-2022-01787 in Executive Session on 20 Oct 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 1 Jul 22.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, PPA HQ/LHE, w/atchs, dated 27 Jul 22.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 28 Jul 22.
Exhibit E:	Applicant’s Response, w/atchs, dated 3 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.