RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:		DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-05111

XXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: XXXXXXXXXX
	
	HEARING: YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He excelled as a Munitions Systems Specialist for over 7 years and received the highest possible ratings on seven of his nine performance reports.  However, during his last year of military service, he struggled with his weight and he was subsequently discharged for exceeding Air Force weight standards.  His service characterization should reflect his honorable service and not his failure to meet weight standards.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former senior airman (E-4) who served in the Regular Air Force from 1 June 1984 to 30 December 1987.

On 28 December 1987, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFR 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airmen, for exceeding the weight standards.  He waived his right to a hearing before an administrative discharge board and did not submit statements in his own behalf.

On 28 December 1987, the staff judge advocate found the discharge action legally sufficient and recommended the applicant be discharged with a general discharge characterization, and without probation and rehabilitation.  The discharge authority approved the recommendation on 28 December 1987.

On 30 December 1987, the applicant received a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. His narrative reason for discharge is “Exceeding Weight Standards.”

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

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is the victim of an injustice.  While the Board finds no error in the original discharge process, it is the Board’s opinion that relief is warranted in this case.  The Board notes 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 the Board’s review of the evidence of record, the applicant's discharge was based solely on exceeding weight standards.  Therefore, in light of these changing standards, it would be in the interest of justice to upgrade the applicant’s discharge to honorable.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records be corrected as indicated below.

4.  The applicant’s case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 30 December 1987, he was honorably discharged and was furnished an Honorable Discharge certificate.

The application was adjudicated without a personal appearance.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-05111 in Executive Session on 14 June 2018:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 20 December 2016.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.