ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  16 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20160013912


APPLICANT REQUESTS: an exception to policy for a full cost move vice no cost move 
from Fort Meade, MD to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	No Cost Move Orders
*	Request for an Exception to P:olicy
*	Email Exchange 
*	Transportation receipts and documents  

FACTS:

1.  The applicant states the permanent change of station (PCS) orders (#117-22) 
established a No Cost Move.  The first time he noticed this was after he received his set 
of orders while deployed to Taji, Iraq.  At that time, he requested the orders with 
transportation and funding code to his S1 section.  He received the same orders and 
was informed, after he called his unit that he had to pay for his move.  After he returned 
to the States, he asked the senior personnel of his units personnel section (S1) for the 
possibility of having the government pay for the move.  He was informed that the only 
exception of policy was if he decided to stay in his same location and collect BAH (basic 
allowance for housing) for that location instead.  He told them that his intent was to 
move his family and himself to his new duty station.  One more time he was informed by 
two different personnel that there was no exception of policy for the move.  Also that 
because of the type of orders, he had to pay his own move from Fort Meade, MD to 
Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD.  When he reported to APG (1 August 2016), the 
MPD (Military Personnel Division) personnel at the installation informed him that indeed 
he had the option of requesting an exception of policy at his losing installation.  He sent 
the request for an exception of policy, but the point of contact (POC) did not have the 
authority to approve the request after he moved/reported to his gaining installation. 

2.  The applicant provided an exception to policy request, email traffic, orders, and 
assorted moving documents.  These documents were forwarded to the Army G-1 for an 
advisory opinion and were not returned.  They are no longer available for the Board to 
review. 

3.  Review of the applicant’s service records shows: 

	a.  The applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer and executed 
an oath of office on 23 September 1999.  He completed the Explosive Ordnance 
Specialist Course from 12 July 2000 to 1 May 2001. 

	b.  He served in a variety of assignments, including Fort Meade, MD from on or 
about 7 January 2013 to on or about 1 July 2016.  He was lieutenant colonel on 1 July 
2016.  

	c.  On 26 April 2016, the Installation Management Command, Fort Meade published 
Orders 117-22 ordering his reassignment (No Cost move) from Fort Meade, MD to 
Edgewood Arsenal, MD effective 1 August 2016. 

	d.  An advisory opinion was received from the Army G-1 on 23 January 2018 in the 
processing of this case.  An advisory official recommended approval.  The G-1 official 
stated: 

		(1) The documents provided by [Applicant] regarding his request to approve a full 
cost Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move after the fact in order to get reimbursed 
for a personally procured move from Fort Meade, MD to Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 
were reviewed by this office and recommend the Army Review Board Agency approves 
this request.  The G-1 recommends the reimbursement be limited to the total amount of 
$1,107.61.

		(2)  On August 2016, after receiving a no cost move PCS order in April 2016, 
[Applicant] submitted an exception to policy request to the Department of the Army 
seeking approval for a full cost move; however, since he had executed a personal 
procured move prior to approval, there was no authority for the Army to reimburse him 
for his move.  Taking in consideration that he made several attempts to get a waiver 
using his personnel channels and that if he would have submitted the request prior to 
the move, the Army G-1 would have approved the request, the Army G-1 recommends 
the Board approve his request for reimbursement.

		(3)  Since he moved without authority, the reimbursement should be limited to the 
actual expense incurred.  The Army G-1 considers this recommendation fair and 
equitable.

4.  The applicant was provided with a copy of this advisory opinion to give him an 
opportunity to submit a rebuttal.  He did not respond. 

5.  According to the Joint Travel Regulation, household good (HHG) transportation 
(before a PCS authorization/order is issued) is authorized if the request for 
transportation is supported by a statement from the PCS authorizing/approving official 
or a designated representative that the member was advised before such an 
authorization/order was issued that it would be issued.

6.  By regulation (AR 55-71 (Transportation of Personal Property), personally procured 
move (PPM) program is offered to military members as an alternative method of moving 
their HHG in which they can earn a monetary incentive payment up to 95 percent of the 
Government Constructive Cost (GCC) or of what it would have cost the government to 
move the authorized or actual HHG weight commercially.  

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was 
not warranted.  The applicant’s contentions and the advisory opinion were carefully 
considered.  He moved his personal items prior to receiving approval for the costs of the 
move.  The advisory official recommended approval of the request based upon the 
possibility that his request would have been approved if received in a timely manner.  
Notwithstanding the advisory opinion, the Board agreed the JTR states that travel 
reimbursement is not authorized when travel is performed before receipt of a written or 
oral order.  

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

X	X	X	DENY APPLICATION




BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or 
injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
	  
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the 
Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

REFERENCES:

1.  Army Regulation 55-71 (Transportation of Personal Property) provides policy and 
procedures for the PPM method of moving personal property.  It states, in pertinent part, 
that the PPM program is offered to military members as an alternative method of 
moving their HHG in which they can earn a monetary incentive payment up to 95 
percent of the Government Constructive Cost (GCC) or of what it would have cost the 
government to move the authorized or actual HHG weight commercially.  

2.  Normally, when a Soldier makes a PCS move, the government contracts a 
commercial carrier to pack, load, ship, and unload the member's HHG.  However, 
Soldiers have the option to execute a PPM.  When a Soldier selects the PPM option, it 
allows the member to personally move his/her HHG and collect an incentive payment 
from the government.  The option is available for most types of orders including PCS, 
temporary duty, separation or retirement, or assignment to, from, or between 
Government quarters.  Soldiers may use this option to move all or a portion of their 
authorized weight allowance and can receive up to 95% of the Government 
Constructive Cost if they move themselves.  

3.  The JFTR, chapter 2, part B (Orders), states an order used for reimbursement of 
travel and transportation expenses is a written document issued or approved by the 
Secretarial Process directing a member or a group of members to travel between 
designated points.  The order establishes the conditions for official travel and 
transportation at government expense and provides the basis for the traveler's 
reimbursement.  Orders should be issued before the travel is performed.  Travel 
reimbursement is not authorized when the travel is performed before receipt of written 
or oral orders.

4.  The JFTR, chapter 2, part B, also states an urgent or unusual situation may require 
that official travel begin or be performed before a written order can be issued.  Under 
these circumstances an oral order conveyed by any medium, including telephone, may 
be given.  When this occurs, the authorizing officer must promptly issue a confirmatory 
written order.  An oral order meets the requirement for a written order when it is given in 
advance of travel, subsequently confirmed in writing giving the date of the oral order, 
and approved by competent authority.

5.  The Defense Travel Regulation, part IV (Personal Property), attachment K1 ("It's 
Your Move" – Armed Forces Members), provides information for members on the 
allowances and responsibilities involving the shipment and/or storage of HHG and 
unaccompanied baggage.  It states the transportation office must provide counseling 
and prior approval for a PPM – formerly called a DITY move – and that failing to comply 
with service requirements of the program may limit payment or result in complete denial 
of a claim.


//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20160013912

4

1