RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  01-01221
		INDEX CODE:  110.02
		COUNSEL:  American Red Cross

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her undesirable discharge be upgraded to honorable.  
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She entered the Air Force with a verbal agreement from her recruiter that she would be assigned to a medical unit.  However, upon entry, she was assigned to a communications job.  Against the directions of her commander, she attempted to retrain into the medical field through the medical commander which led to her being reprimanded and receiving Article 15 punishment.  After a  hearing of her grievances, the Formal Faculty board eventually approved her request for reassignment into the medical field.  While she was waiting for orders she was continually being called on the carpet for minor infractions and was eventually offered a fast way out of the Air Force with an undesirable discharge.   In retrospect, she believes that the work she did while in the service was excellent and feels that she should have done things differently, however, she would have still pursued assignment in the medical field.  

In support of her request applicant provided personal statements; character reference statements; her Formal Faculty board proceedings; and, her DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United Stated Report of Transfer or Discharge.  Her complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 2 November 1955.  She was progressively promoted to the grade of airman third class.  On 8 November 1956, she received an undesirable discharge from the Air Force under the provisions of AFR 39-17 after serving 1 year and 7 months active military service. 

Additional 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.

Examiner’s note: Pursuant to the Board’s request for information, the FBI indicated that, on the basis of the evidence provided, they were unable to locate an arrest record pertaining to the applicant.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Assistant NCOIC, Separation Procedures Section, AFPC/DPPRS, reviewed applicant’s request and states that based on the documentation in the file, they believe the discharge was consistent with procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  The applicant has not provided any new evidence or identified any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  However, considering the discharge was over 44 years ago and the type of offenses committed, clemency is recommended.  DPPRS recommends that the discharge be upgraded to general (under honorable conditions)(see Exhibit C).

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 15 Jun 00 for review and response within 30 days.  As of this date, this office has received no response.

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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 to timely file.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable injustice.  In spite of the multiplicity of the offenses alleged against her, it is our opinion that the characterization of her service as less than honorable was excessively harsh.  In view of the evidence provided, we believe that she has been a productive member of society since her discharge and that it would be an injustice for her to continue to suffer the adverse effects of an undesirable discharge.  Therefore on the basis of clemency, we believe an upgrade of her discharge to general (under honorable conditions) is warranted.  Her request for upgrade to honorable was considered; however, based on her overall record, we do not believe that a fully honorable discharge is warranted.  Accordingly we recommend her records be corrected 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 8 November 1956, she was discharged with service characterized as general (under honorable conditions).

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The following members of the Board considered this application in Executive Session on 15 Aug 01, under the provisions of AFI 36‑2603:

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

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 8 Nov 76, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
     Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 21 May 01.
     Exhibit D.  Letter, SAF/MIBR, dated 15 Jun 01.

                                  
                                  Panel Chair

AFBCMR 01-01221

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of 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, be corrected to show on 8 November 1956, she was discharged with service characterized as general (under honorable conditions).

                                                                            Director
                                                                            Air Force Review Boards Agency