DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 

BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS  
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 

Docket No. 9176-17 
MAR 23 2018 

From: Chairman, Board for Correction ofNaval Records 
To: Secretary ofthe Navy 

Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD ICO 
Ref: (a) Title 10 U.S.C. 1552 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 w/attachments 
(2) Subject's naval record 

1. Pursuant to the provisions ofreference (a) Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed 
enclosure (1) with this Board requesting, in effect, that the applicable naval record be corrected 
to show the Petitioner declined enrollment in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). 

2. The Board, consisting of                     , reviewed Petitioner's 
allegations of error and injustice on 15 February 2018 and, pursuant to its regulations, 
determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on,the available evidence 
ofrecord. Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of your application, together 
with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of your.naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 

3. The Board, having reviewed all the facts ofrecord pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of 
error and injustice, finds as follows: 

a. Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available 
under existing law and regulations within the Department ofthe Navy. 

b. On 15 June 2017, Petitioner's spouse signed the DD Form 2656. 

c. On 21 June 2017, Petitioner signed the DD Form 2656, electing coverage in the Survivor 
Benefit Plan (SBP). 

d. On 30 September 2017, Petitioner transferred to the Fleet Reserve. 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review an~ consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence qf an 
injustice warranting corrective action due to the following: Prior to Petitioner's transfer to the 
Fleet Reserve, he and his spouse completed a DD Form 2656 electing spouse coverage. 

Petitioner claims that he did not understand the form and that both he and his spouse intended to 
decline coverage, as evidenced by her signing.the form and having it notarized. Additionally, 
Petitioner and spouse signed an affidavit affirming their intent to decline SBP coverage. 
Petitioner took steps inunediately after transfer to the Fleet Reserve to correct the error and 
decline coverage, but the Defense Finance and Accounting Service denied his request because he 
signed and dated the election after his spouse did. The Board concluded that the Petitioner made 
an error, which he inunediately attempted to rectify, and therefore a measure ofrelief is 
warranted in this case. 

RECOMMENDATION 

That Petitioner's naval record be corrected, where appropriate, to show that: 

Prior to his 30 September 2017 transfer to the Fleet Reserve, Petitioner declined enrollment in 
SBP with spouse conciirrence. Any other election or declination executed by Petitioner is null 
and void. 

A copy ofthis Report ofProceedings will be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 

4. It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the 
foregoing is a true and complete record ofthe Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter.

5. Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section6(e) Procedures ofthe 
Board for Correction ofNaval Records (32 Code of Federal Regu a 10ns, Section 723.6(e)) and 
having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing 
corrective action, taken under the authority ofreference (a), has been approved by·the Board on 
behalf of the Secretary ofthe Navy. 

Executive Director