AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT	CASE NUMBER

FD-2016-00357	

GENERAL: The applicant was discharged on 14 Feb 11 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions). The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 14 Dec 17.

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), but declined and requested the board be completed based on a records only review. The applicant was not represented by counsel.

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service.

FINDING: The DRB voted 4 to 1 to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable.

DISCUSSION: The DRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the narrative reason for discharge if such changes are warranted. If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code. 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 determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.

The applicant’s record of service included two Article 15s, three Letters of Reprimand, and one Letter of Counseling. His misconduct included: failure to go to the prescribed appointed place of duty (x2), failure to pay debts, providing a false official statement to an NCO, being arrested for reckless driving, possessing alcohol in a dormitory room while underage, and failure to complete an inprocessing checklist.

The applicant contended the discharge was improper due to the fact that he received two signed DD Forms 214, one of which listed his service characterization as Honorable.

The DRB reviewed both of the applicant’s DD Forms 214 and determined the one that indicated a date of separation (DOS) of 31 Aug 10, and an Honorable service characterization, was erroneous. It had been prepared in anticipation of the applicant being discharged under the “DOS Rollback” program, which never occurred as the applicant was placed on administrative hold. By the time he was released from administrative hold, the “DOS Rollback” program had expired.

Based upon the discharge package contained in the applicant’s record, it was clear the chain of command’s intent was to discharge him with a General discharge. Further, the DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his negative behavior. The board concluded the negative aspects of his service outweighed the positive contributions he made in his Air Force career.

CONCLUSION: The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge. Therefore, the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and his request was not approved.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 22 Jan 18.  If desired, the applicant can request a	

list of the board members and their votes by writing to: SAF/MRBR (CITU), 550-C Street West, Suite 41, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4743.

Attachment: Examiner's Brief