RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00313 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He has been awarded compensation for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), which is the reason he was abusing alcohol. He no longer abuses alcohol and has been clean since 1986. He sees a psychologist on a regular basis to deal with his PTSD. He is an upstanding citizen of the United States. He gave 14 years of service to his country, and Vietnam was the cause of his PTSD. In support of his request, the applicant provides copies of his DVA decision letter, medical records, and documents pertaining to his previous application to the AFBCMR. The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: On 2 Nov 64, the applicant contracted his initial enlistment in the Regular Air Force and was progressively promoted to the grade of technical sergeant. The following is a resume of the applicant’s Airman Performance Reports (APRs): - Reports closing 22 Jul 65, 24 Feb 66, and 24 Feb 67 reflect ratings of Excellent, Outstanding and Outstanding. - Reports closing 24 Feb 68 – 3 Dec 76, reflect overall ratings of “9,” with the exception of the APR closing 17 Apr 73 which reflects “7.” - Reports closing 3 Dec 77 and 19 Oct 78 had overall ratings of “6” and “4” respectively. On 20 Oct 78, the applicant was notified by his squadron commander that he was recommending his discharge from the Air Force for misconduct. The reasons for the proposed action were the applicant’s frequent involvement of a discreditable nature with civil and military authority. The applicant received three letters of counseling (LOCs), two letters of reprimand (LORs), six Article 15 punishments, two civil court convictions, and was placed on the control roster for offenses ranging from financial irresponsibility to alcohol abuse. On 18 Nov 78, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of discharge and, after consulting with legal counsel, offered a conditional waiver contingent upon receipt of no less than a general discharge. The base legal office reviewed the case and found it legally sufficient to support separation and recommended the unconditional board waiver be accepted and the applicant be discharged with a general discharge without probation and rehabilitation. On 15 Dec 78, the discharge authority accepted the conditional waiver and directed the applicant be discharged with a general discharge. On 22 Dec 78, the applicant was discharged in the grade of sergeant, under the provisions of AFM 39-12, Separation for Unsuitability, for misconduct and received a general discharge. He served on active duty for a period of 14 years, 1 month, and 21 days. Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) provided a copy of an Investigative Report, which is at Exhibit C. On 1 Jun 11, a copy of the FBI report was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days. At the same time, the AFBCMR staff offered the applicant an opportunity to provide information pertaining to his activities since leaving the service (Exhibit D). The applicant responded with a personal letter. He entered the Air Force on 2 Nov 64, and achieved the rank of technical sergeant on 1 Jul 75. Prior to his termination from the Air Force on 22 Dec 78, his service record was outstanding. When he returned from Vietnam in 1969 he was suffering from undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because he did not possess the coping skills necessary to combat this disease, he turned to alcohol. He later sought treatment; however, the social and medical services in place at the time were not capable of properly diagnosing his PTSD and providing him with adequate treatment. He gave his country 14 years of his life, and knowing what he now knows about PTSD, he should have been medically retired. Since he left the Air Force he has obtained two associate degrees, one in accounting and the other in computer science. He was employed with the XXXXXXXXX in Columbus, GA from 1989-2008, and retired at age 62. He was licensed to preach in 1993, and was ordained into the Gospel Ministry in 2010. The applicant provided a character reference letter from his Senior Pastor, copies of his associate degree certificates, license to preach, and his Certificate of Ordination. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ 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. After a thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s submission, we are persuaded relief is warranted in this case. While we found no evidence of an error or injustice with regards to the discharge processing, it appears the discharge was consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the commander's discretionary authority; however, we feel there may have been underlying reasons for his misconduct, i.e., alcohol abuse, which he states was caused by PTSD. The applicant states when he returned from Vietnam he suffered from PTSD, for which he was never diagnosed or treated. In coming to our decision, we considered the applicant’s 14 years of service, his performance reports, which reflect predominantly outstanding performance, his numerous awards and decorations, and his post-service accomplishments; on balance we believe an upgrade is warranted. Therefore, while we do not condone the behavior which led to his discharge or that which is listed on his FBI report, overall it appears the applicant has made a successful transition to civilian life. We believe an upgrade of the characterization of his service to honorable is warranted on the basis of clemency. Accordingly, we recommend that his records be corrected as indicated 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 22 December 1978, he was honorably discharged and furnished an Honorable Discharge certificate. _________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00313 in Executive Session on 21 Jul 11, 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 28 Jan 11, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. FBI Report of Investigation, dated 4 Mar 11. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBC, dated 1 Jun 11. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 18 Jun 11, w/atchs. Panel Chair