IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  23 April 2020

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180002363


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  an Exception to Policy to withdraw from the Blended 
Retirement System (BRS)

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant states he thought the Defense and Accounting System (DFAS) 
automated system was updating his records.  When he realized it was processing him 
for BRS, he exited the web site.  He attempted to contact DFAS for two hours 
immediately following the web site.  He also talked to his finance pay chain of 
command.  Although he tried to cancel before the transaction was complete, there was 
no one to help him.  Neither the government, nor anyone involved would be harmed by 
changing him back to the normal retirement system.  He deployed twice with little 
advance notice.  He has made great sacrifices for the Army.  His retirement should be 
based on his decision and not on a computer glitch.

2.  Records show a BRS transaction was processed on 8 January 2018, opting the
applicant into the BRS.

3.  Guidance from the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G- 1 states, in part, prior to
the beginning of the BRS enrollment, DFAS moved the LES link on MyPay and replaced
it with the BRS opt-in link.  Service members immediately began to contact their 
respective Services of their "erroneous" enrollment while trying to acquire a LES and
surprisingly received notification that they had opted into the BRS.  After several
complaints, the Department, in coordination with DFAS, moved the LES link back to its
customary first position on MyPay and relocated the BRS link effective 
26 January 2018.  Given the relatively small number involved and the potential long
term impact on the Soldier, Army G-1 considers it in the Army's best interest to give
these Soldiers the benefit of the doubt who notified the Army of their enrollment
between 1-26 January 2018, is the right thing to do. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the relief 
was warranted.  The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory 
guidance were carefully considered.  The Board considered the date of the applicant’s 
enrollment in BRS and the review and conclusions of the HQDA, DCS-G1 advising 
official.  Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined there is 
sufficient evidence to grant relief and void his enrollment in the Blended Retirement 
System (BRS).

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:XXX	:XXX	:XX	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of 
the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by voiding his enrollment in 
the Blended Retirement System (BRS).  Such relief should result in the applicant being 
enrolled in the legacy retirement system.

		  
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:

A Guide to the BRS states, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 
created a new retirement system for members of the Uniformed Services.  This system, 
called the BRS, blends the traditional legacy retirement pension with a defined 
contribution benefit into a Thrift Savings Plan.  The BRS went into effect on                                
1 January 2018. 

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180002363


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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