ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 February 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190013015 APPLICANT REQUESTS: the date she signed the continuation pay request of 14 May 2019 for the Blended Retirement System (BRS) be the honored date of the form APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: .DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) .Request for Continuation Pay for the BRS .Officer Record Brief (ORB) .Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) .emails regarding the BRS FACTS: 1.The applicant states: a.She requests the date of 14 May 2019 be the honored date for continuation pay.This will allow her to receive the continuation pay available for those who opt into the BRS. One must submit the request for continuation pay before their 12th year of service. She attempted to complete the form well before her 12th year mark of 13 June 2019. b.The continuation pay request was signed by the certifying official on 25 June 2019 and by the approval authority on 3 July 2019. Both of these dates were after her 12 year mark in the Army. The late signatures were beyond her control. c.The applicant provides copies of emails for the Board's consideration which showshe started working on getting the document signed months in advance of the deadline. There was a lack of clarity of who should sign the form because she was stationed at Tripler Army Medical Command and then was reassigned to Korea. d.There was uncertainty as to what the process of completing the paperwork was,who in Korea could, and would sign the form. Even with help of financial specialists, it took weeks of emails for the form to get signed. 2.The applicant's service records are void of any documentation pertaining to the BRS. 3.The applicant provides the following documents for the Board's consideration: a.A Request for Continuation Pay (BRS), which shows: .she understood she was receiving continuation pay as part of the BRS .she agreed to accept 2.5 times base pay for additional obligated service of 4years .she requested her continuation pay in one lump-sum payment .she signed the form on 14 May 2019 .the certifying official signed the form on 25 June 2019 .the approval authority signed the form on 3 July 2019 b.The applicant's Officer Record Brief (ORB), dated 3 August 2019, which shows asynopsis of the applicant's duty assignments, military education, civilian education, awards, and Pay Entry Base Date. c.Her LES from 1 -31 July 2019, which indicates she is in the BRS. d.Emails regarding completion of the continuation pay form. 4.In the processing of this case, an advisory opinion was obtained on 22 October2019, from the The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1. The advisory officialrecommended the Board correct the applicant's record to show the applicant was inreceipt of a completed continuation pay request prior to the completion of 12 years ofmilitary service. They further recommended the Board approve the applicant'sentitlement to the continuation pay and authorize Defense Finance and AccountingService to disburse the payment utilizing the Military Pay Account and not the ABCMRfunds payable through debts and claims. A copy of the complete advisory opinion hasbeen provided to the Board for their review and consideration. 5.The applicant was provided a copy of this advisory opinion on 22 October 2019, toprovide her an opportunity to comment and/or submit a rebuttal. She responded bystating, she appreciated the advisory opinion and concurred with their opinion. 6.See relevant references below. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board found sufficient evidence that the applicant intended to apply for the BRS continuation pay in accordance with statutory requirements. The Board agreed with the Department of the Army, Chief Compensation and Entitlements Division advisory opinion to correct the applicant’s records to show that the she was in receipt of a completed CP request prior to the completion of 12 years of service as computed from the PEBD. The Board further agreed with the advisory recommendation to approve the applicant’s entitlement to CP and authorize the Defense Finance and Accounting Service to disburse payment utilizing the Military Pay Account and not the ABCMR funds payable through Debts and Claims. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :XX :XX :XX GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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: 1.showing the applicant was in receipt of a completed continuation pay (CP)request prior to the completion of 12 years of service as computed from the PEBD 2.DFAS paying her entitlement to CP utilizing the Military Pay Account and notthe ABCMR funds payable through Debts and Claims X 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.Defense Finance and Accounting Service website at https://militarypay.defense.gov/blendedretirement/ states, the Blended Retirement System combines elements of the legacy retirement system with benefits similar to those offered in many civilian 401(k) plans. The opt-in period for the majority of service members closed on 31 December 2018. However, it's still important to learn how to maximize retirement choices. 2. A Guide to the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System found at https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/BlendedRetirementDocuments/A%20Guide%20to%20the%20Uniformed%20Services%20BRS%20December%202017.pdf?ver=2017-12-18-140805-343 states: a. Continuation Pay is a one-time, midcareer bonus in exchange for an agreement to perform additional obligated service. b. Any member who elects to receive continuation pay will incur an additional service obligation of not less than three years, as determined by the member's service. Soldiers are eligible for continuation pay when they have completed between 8 but not more than 12 years of service calculated from their Pay Entry Base Date. //Nothing Follows//