RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-02993

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her general (under honorable conditions) discharge be changed to honorable. 
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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

At the time of her discharge, she was only 20 years old.  She was placed into a Weight Management Performance Program because she was 5-10 pounds over her weight limit to be in the military.   At 5’3” at 155 lbs, she dieted, exercised, and participated in a remedial exercise program, yet she was not able to lose the additional 5-10 lbs, which resulted in unsatisfactory performance for which she was discharged.  The only other incident she recalls happened when she was about 18 or 19 years old.  She took a $3.00 eyeliner pencil from the Exchange Store.  Being a teenage at that time, we don’t always make the right choices; it was a very stupid, childish thing to do.  She forfeited $100 and was demoted to an E-2 airman.  These incidents took place over 20 years ago.  She has since served over 13 years of Federal Government Service, and she is currently a federal employee for the U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Prisons.  She is requesting her military service time be upgraded to an honorable discharge.  Many years ago, she was under the assumption that her discharge would automatically be upgraded after so many years.  She understands that this is not the case anymore, which is the basis for her requesting this change at this late date.

In support of her appeal, she has submitted a personnel statement.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic on 2 September 1981.  On 8 November 1984, the applicant was involuntarily discharged under the provisions of AFR 39-10,  (Unsatisfactory Performance) with service characterized as general (under honorable conditions) in the grade of airman first class. She served three years, two months and seven days of total active military service.

The applicant’s commander notified her on 16 October 1984 that he was recommending her for discharge for unsatisfactory performance.  The applicant was counseled when she failed to go at the time prescribed to her appointed place of duty on 12 and 17 February 1982 and 19 and 29 September 1983.  She demonstrated financial irresponsibility by failing to pay her club account between September 1982 and February 1983, for which she was counseled and received a letter of reprimand.  She was counseled again for writing three checks with insufficient funds on       13 December 1982, 20 December 1983 and 7 April 1984.  The member was counseled after she failed to comply with prescribed guidelines for personnel on weekend standby by failing to respond to a page and not informing Job Control of her whereabouts on   18 and 19 June 1983.  On 22 August 1984, the applicant stole a shadow pencil.  She received an Article 15 with a $100 fine and a suspended reduction to airman.  

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 (Exhibit D).

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS stated that based upon the documentation in the file, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  Additional, the discharge was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  The applicant did not submit any new evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  She provided no other facts warranting an upgrade of the discharge.  Accordingly, they recommends her records remain the same and her request be denied.  However, a new DD Form 214 was issued to correctly identify her type of separation as under honorable conditions (general), not just a general discharge.  She has not filed a timely request.

AFPC/DPPRS complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

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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 17 October 2003, for review and comment.  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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  While the applicant has provided no evidence to show that her discharge was improper or not in compliance with appropriate directives, the Board is of the opinion that relief is warranted.  It appears the applicant has led a stable and productive life with over 13 years of Federal Government service with the Federal Bureau of Prisons and there is no evidence that she has had any subsequent serious involvement of a derogatory nature since her separation from the Air Force.  In light of the above and on the basis of clemency, we believe her discharge should be upgraded to honorable.  Accordingly, we recommend that her records be corrected as 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 at the time of her discharge on 8 November 1984, she was honorably discharged and furnished an Honorable Discharge Certificate. 

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The following members of the Board considered considered Docket Number BC-2003-02993 in Executive Session on 13 November 2003, 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 17 Sep 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	FBI Report, dated 14 Nov 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, AFPC/DPPRSP, dated 7 Oct 03.
	Exhibit E.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 17 Oct 03.

                                  

AFBCMR BC-2003-02993

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 that at the time of her discharge on 8 November 1984, she was honorably discharged and furnished an Honorable Discharge Certificate.