RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  02-02226

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  Not Indicated

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He had no court-martials.  He was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Please allow him the dignity of an Honorable Discharge.  He was diagnosed 50% and treated for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of his Vietnam experience.  He now understands why his behavior changed when he returned to stateside.  All of these events are documented in his file.  He is seeking an Honorable Discharge because he served his country with as much honor as he could.  He is now 50 years old and needs to clear his records.

In support of the applicant’s appeal, he submits a copy of DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge or Dismissal from the Armed Forces of the United States, a letter from VA, DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty and DD Form 214.

Applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic on 8 Oct 71 for a period of 4 years.  On 22 Aug 75, the applicant was discharged with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge in the grade of airman first class. He served 3 years, 10 month and 15 days of active service.

The applicant's records were not found at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St Louis, MO.  Other than the applicant's attached statement and a copy of his DD Form 214 obtained from NPRC, the facts leading to the discharge are not available.

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommended denial.   The applicant did not submit any new evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  He has provided no facts warranting an upgrade.  Accordingly, DPPRS recommends his records remain the same and his request be denied.  He has not filed a timely request.  

A complete copy of the evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 9 Aug 2002, for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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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.	We find no impropriety in the characterization of applicant's discharge.  It appears that responsible officials applied appropriate standards in effecting the separation, and we do not find persuasive evidence that pertinent regulations were violated or that applicant was not afforded all the rights to which entitled at the time of discharge.  We conclude, therefore, that the discharge proceedings were proper and characterization of the discharge was appropriate to the existing circumstances.

4.	We also find insufficient evidence to warrant a recommendation that the discharge be upgraded on the basis of clemency.  We have considered applicant's overall quality of service, the events which precipitated the discharge, and available evidence related to post-service activities and accomplishments.  We note the recommendation from the Air Force; however, based on the evidence of record, we cannot conclude that clemency is warranted.  Applicant has not provided sufficient information of post-service activities and accomplishments for us to conclude that applicant has overcome the behavioral traits which caused the discharge.  Should applicant provide statements from community leaders and acquaintances attesting to applicant's good character and reputation and other evidence of successful post-service rehabilitation, this Board will reconsider this case based on the new evidence.  We cannot, however, recommend approval based on the current evidence of record.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number 02-02226 in Executive Session on 6 November 2002, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 18 Jul 02, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 2 Aug 02.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 9 Aug 02.