RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF: 				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2015-01421

  XXXXXXXXXXX					COUNSEL:  NONE

							HEARING DESIRED:  NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

The character of her discharge was too harsh.  She was discharged for failure to meet weight standards and according to the Air Force she was only 14 pounds overweight.  She did not consider herself over weight because she had more muscle mass than body fat.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

According to the applicant’s discharge documents, her Total Active Federal Service Date is 19 July 1978.

In an undated letter, the applicant’s commander notified her that he was recommending she be discharged under the provisions of AFR 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airmen, for failure to successfully complete the weight management program as evidenced by five unsatisfactory weigh-ins between the period 3 July 1985 and 13 May 1987.

On 8 July 1987, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the discharge notification, and elected to meet an administrative discharge board with counsel.

On 31 August 1987, the staff judge advocate found the discharge legally sufficient and concurred with the findings of the administrative discharge board that the applicant be separated with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge.

On 1 October 1987, the discharge authority directed the applicant be separated with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge.  Probation and rehabilitation was denied.

On 8 October 1987, the applicant received a general (under honorable conditions) discharge.  Her narrative reason for separation is “Exceeding Air Force Weight Standards.”  She served 9 years, 2 months and 19 days on active duty.

According to AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, paragraph 5.28.2, dated 9 July 2004, incorporating through change 7, dated 2 July 2013, if the sole reason for separation is for failure to meet physical fitness standards, then only an honorable characterization may be given.

On 18 June 2015, a request for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C), as of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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 injustice warranting corrective action.   Even though the applicant has provided no evidence to show that her separation was improper or not in compliance with the appropriate regulations, it is our opinion that relief is warranted in this case.  In this respect, we note that current policy dictates if the sole reason for separation is for failure to meet physical fitness standards, then only an honorable characterization may be given.  Based on our review of the evidence of record, the applicant's discharge was based solely on exceeding weight standards.  Therefore, in light of these changing standards, we believe it would be in the interest of justice to upgrade the applicant’s discharge to honorable.  Accordingly, we recommend her records be corrected to the extent 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 8 October 1987, she was honorably discharged and was furnished an Honorable Discharge certificate.

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2015-01421 in Executive Session on 21 January 2016 and 23 May 2016, 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 30 March 2015, w/atchs.
Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C.  Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 18 June 2015, w/atch.