RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-00846
				INDEX CODE:  110.00
	APPLICANT  	COUNSEL:  None

	SSN		HEARING DESIRED:  No

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His Undesirable Discharge be upgraded to an Honorable Discharge.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was not given a chance to rehabilitate himself, or seek any help from a professional or his superiors for his alcohol problems.  He was a young naïve enlisted AF member, but he has been sober for the past 30 years. 

Applicant's complete submission is attached at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The relevant facts pertaining to this application, extracted from the applicant’s military records, are contained in the letter prepared by the appropriate office of the Air Force.  Accordingly, there is no need to recite these facts in this Record of Proceedings.

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, D.C., provided an investigative report which is attached at Exhibit C.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Separation Procedures Section, Separations Branch, AFPC/DPPRS, reviewed this application and state that, based upon the documentation in the applicant's file, they believe his discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulations of that time.  Also, the discharge was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  The chaplain was the only one that addressed alcohol as the probable source to his problems.  The applicant was young and naïve during this time and he had free access to alcoholic beverages.  If a check of his FBI report proves negative, they recommend clemency and that his discharge be upgraded to Under Honorable Conditions (General).

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation is attached at Exhibit D.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The applicant reviewed the Air Force evaluation and states that he was progressing well in the Air Force until his transfer to Fairchild AFB.  He did not realize that his drinking was becoming a problem.  He was beginning to feel homesick and felt a change of assignment would be good.  He requested a transfer and was informed that he did not have enough time left to serve to be transferred and that he needed to reenlist to get a transfer, but the transfer was denied and things went down hill from there.  He is still ashamed of what he did to himself and his career, as he had hoped at one time to be a twenty-year career man.  He and his wife will celebrate 40 years of marriage in August.  He worked for Providence Gas Company for twenty-nine years and retired due to medical reasons.  He has been sober for twenty-five years.  Also, in support his request the applicant submits several character references (Exhibit E). 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure of timely file.

3.	Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice warranting an upgrade of the applicant’s discharge.  No evidence has been presented which would lead the Board to believe the service member’s discharge was improper or contrary to the directive under which it was effected.  Nevertheless, after 44 years, and in view of his apparent successful transition to civilian life, we are of the opinion that upgrading the service member’s discharge to general (under honorable conditions), based on clemency, would be appropriate.  Applicant’s request for an honorable discharge was considered but based on the overall records, a further upgrade is not warranted.  Therefore, we recommend the service member’s records be correct to the extent indicated below.

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THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 7 March 1957, he was discharged with the service characterized as general (under honorable conditions).

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 25 July 2001, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

		Panel Chair
		Member
		Member

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 20 March 2001, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	FBI Report.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, HQ AFPC/DPPRS, dated 17 April 2001.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 4 May 2001.
	Exhibit F.	Applicant's Response, dated 28 June 2001.

				
				Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-00846
INDEX CODE:  110.00

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction for Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116) it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, SSN, be corrected to show that on 7 March 1957, he was discharged with the service characterized as general (under honorable conditions).

					
					Director
					Air Force Review Boards Agency