Request for Waiver of Collection of Debt Resulting From Erroneous Overpayments of Pay and Allowances

An Army officer requested reconsideration of the denial of her request for waiver of collection of a debt to the United States which arose from erroneous overpayments of pay and allowances. While on excess leave after completing nurses' training, the member received erroneous payments which she brought to the attention of the proper officials. However, she believed she was entitled to the difference between pay as a second lieutenant and pay as a private first class for 5 months because she had been commissioned late and thought a check which was received later was a pay adjustment. Since her belief appeared reasonable, collection of the amounts she received to that date was waived, but later erroneous payments she received were not waived and must be collected.