[Request for Reconsideration]

A retired Army member requested reconsideration of a Claims Group decision which denied his claim for expenses of personal and dependent travel from his European station to a home of selection in the United States. The record indicates that upon the member's retirement he and his son traveled to property owned by the member in the United States, but they only remained there for a period of 2 months prior to returning to Europe, where they now continue to reside. The Claims Group denial stated that the brief stay in the United States did not evidence an intent to establish a home of selection. The member contended that the extensive improvements he made on his property substantiate his intent to establish his home of selection at that location. GAO held that the fact that the member and his family might ultimately move to the home in the United States does not provide a basis for payment of personal and dependents' travel expenses, because the member has remained in Europe and has shown no evidence of actual and continuous residence at the U.S. home. Accordingly, the Claims Group denial was sustained.