AIR FORCE DISCHARG E REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD
NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER (LAST,FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL)	GRADE
(b)(6)
TYPE	I	PERSONAL     APPEARANCE	x	I	RECORD    REVIEW
('()UNRL	NAME OFCOUNSEL AND OR ORGANIZATION	ADDUSSAND OR ORGA.'01.ATION OFCOUNSEL
YES	No
x
VOTE OF mt BOARD
MEMBER   SITTING	HON	GEN	UOTHC	OTHER	DENY
(b)(6)	x • #
....

....

...

....

x .#

x .#
x .#
x • #

ISSllES	A94.06	INDEX.NUMBER	A84.00	EXHIBITSSVBED TO  THE  BOARD
1	ORDER APPOINTING THE BOARD
2	APPLICATIONFOR REVIEW OF DISCHARGE
3  LETTER OF NOTIFICATION
4   BRIEF OF PERSONNEL F LE COUNSEL'S RELEASE TOTHE BOARD
ADDITIONAL EXHmrrs SUBMITTED AT TIME OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE
TAPE RECORDING OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE HEARING

HEARING DATE	CAS NUMBl'.R

17 Jun 2016	FD-2016-00012
AlftJt:NQ"llllSCmAtlD'DIB 806ID"SDEClSIONAL llATKlfALE AU DCSCVSSlll> Oltt1I!ATIAOlll> Al/A. fQllCI DllCHAIOll lllMBW llOllaD DllCISllllALMTIGICAUl

Case heard in Wash ngton,D.C.

Advise applicant of the decision of the Board,the right to a personal appearance with/without counsel,and the right to submit an application to the AFBCMR.

Narrative reason *
RE Code #

(b)(6)

·--	-

JNDORSDIENT	DATE:  wall'
TO:	FROM:
SAF/MRBR	SECRETARY Ol'THI: AIR FORCE rERSONNEL COUNCii..
AIR fORO:DISC1!AltG£ R.1.Vl £W BOARD
SSO C STREET WEST, SUlTE 40	15.15 COMC. \tAND DR, UWING,)RD FLOOR
RANDOLPH AFB,TX 781S04742	AN DREWS AFB, MD 10762·7001

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, JAN 00	(EF-V2)	Previous

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL  RATIONALE	CASE NUMBER

FD-2016-00012	

GENERAL:   The applicant appeals for upgrade of discharge characterization  to Honorable, to change the reason and authority for the discharge, and to change the reenlistment code.

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB) but declined and requests that the review be completed based on the available service record.

The attached brief contains available pertinent data on the applicant and the factors leading to the discharge.

FINDING:  The Board finds insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant's discharge.

DISCUSSION: The applicant received an Entry Level Separation discharge for reluctance to make the effort necessary to meet Air Force standards of conduct and duty performance. The Air Force Discharge Review Board, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant's discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted. In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental  affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to  rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the applicant. The Board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to ensure the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The applicant's record of service included one Record of Individual Counseling for self-eliminating from the Pararescue development course.

The applicant contends the discharge was inequitable because it was too harsh.  He claims that he had no other disciplinary actions prior to the incident that led to his discharge.  He also stated that his discharge characterization and reenlistment code have prevented him from pursuing further military service and law enforcement positions.

After review of the record, the Board found the applicant's contentions to be without merit.  Although the applicant's action was an isolated event, reclassification  after self-elimination is not mandatory.   It is the commander's discretion in determining ifretention is warranted.   Furthermore, the Board is aware that the applicant's present service characterization may render him ineligible for some job opportunities; however, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade. A discharge is upgraded only if it is established that an inequity or impropriety took place at the time of discharge.  Pursuant to AFI 36- 3208, paragraph  1.19.1, Entry Level Separation, airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active duty service and such service is only characterized as honorable when clearly warranted
by unusual circumstances of personal conduct and performance of military duty.  After a thorough review of the record, the Board found no evidence to justify  characterizing the applicant's service as honorable or to change the reason for the discharge.

CONCLUSION: The Discharge Review Board concludes that the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation, was within the discretion of the discharge authority, and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process.

In view of the foregoing findings, the Board found no evidence to justify characterizing the applicant's service or to change the reason and authority for the discharge.

Attachment: Examiner's Brief