RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2004-01066
		INDEX CODE:  110.02

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His narrative reason for separation and separation code be changed.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He voluntarily withdrew from Navigator training on 17 Nov 03.  He was not scheduled to begin his course of training until May 04.  His withdrawal five months prior to training did not justify the narrative reason for his separation.

Prior to being reclassified, he requested a voluntary separation, which was approved.  He should not have received an involuntary discharge.

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided extracts from his military personnel records.

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

_________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

Applicant was appointed a second lieutenant, Reserve of the Air Force, on 19 Sep 03 and was voluntarily ordered to extended active duty.

An AETC Form 126A indicates that on 18 Nov 03, the applicant’s commander recommended he be eliminated from Navigator Introductory Flight Training (NIFT) as a result of the applicant’s Drop on Request (DOR) (self-initiated elimination).  The applicant was eliminated from NIFT on 19 Nov 03.

Applicant was honorably discharged on 29 Dec 03 under the provisions of AFI 36-3207 (Failure to Complete a Course of Instruction).  He was credited with 5 years, 11 months, and 16 days of total active service.

_________________________________________________________________

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AETC/DOF indicated the applicant was enrolled in a formal flying training course and elected to withdraw from training on his own accord, which rendered him ineligible to apply for any further flying training.  Based on their review of the case, there is no error or injustice warranting a change in the applicant’s records.

A complete copy of the AETC/DOF evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPPRS recommended denial indicating that based on the evidence of record, the applicant’s discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  In their view, the applicant did not submit any evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  Furthermore, he provided no facts warranting a change to his records.

A complete copy of the AFPC/DPPRS evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit D.

_________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to applicant on 18 Jun 04 for review and response.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office (Exhibit E).

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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

2.  The application was timely filed.

3.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an injustice.  The majority of the Board notes the applicant was eliminated from NIFT after he voluntarily withdrew from training, which ultimately resulted in his involuntary separation for failure to complete a course of instruction.  It also appears to the majority that subsequent to his self-elimination from training and prior to his discharge, the applicant submitted a request for separation from the Air Force.  After reviewing the facts and circumstances of this case, the Board finds no evidence the applicant's narrative reason for separation was improper or contrary to the governing directives under which it was effected.  Notwithstanding this, the majority believes in view of the applicant’s voluntary request to withdraw from training and to separate from the Air Force, it would be in the interest of justice to afford him the requested relief.  In addition, the Board is of the opinion his involuntary discharge should be changed to a voluntary one.  Accordingly, the majority of the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as set forth below.

_________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that, on 29 Dec 03, he was voluntarily discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Secretarial Authority), with a separation code of “KFF.”

_________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2004-01066 in Executive Session on 22 Jul 04, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

By a majority vote, the Board voted to correct the records, as recommended.  Mr.XXXX voted to deny the applicant’s request to change his narrative reason for separation and separation code but did not desire to submit a minority report.  The Board unanimously voted to recommend the applicant’s involuntary discharge be changed to a voluntary discharge.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

    Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 29 Mar 04, w/atchs.
    Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
    Exhibit C.  Letter, AETC/DOF, dated 28 May 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPPRS, dated 14 Jun 04, w/atch.
    Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 Jun 04.

AFBCMR BC-2004-01066

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 , be corrected to show that, on 29 Dec 03, he was voluntarily discharged under the provisions of AFI 36-3208 (Secretarial Authority), with a separation code of “JFF.”