Request for Waiver of Navy Member's Indebtedness

A former Navy member requested reconsideration of the denial of his application for waiver of his debt to the United States which resulted from overpayment of a reenlistment bonus. On appeal, the member indicated that repayment of the debt would cause financial hardship to him. The record showed that prior to reenlisting, the member received leave and earnings statements which indicated the maximum reenlistment bonus to which he would be entitled if he subsequently reenlisted. Therefore, the member was not without fault since he failed to sufficiently question the erroneous bonus payment. Furthermore, financial hardship is not sufficient reason to waiver such a debt. Accordingly, the previous denial of the application was sustained.