AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00533	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 11 Jul 15 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Termination of Initial Active Duty Training.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 25 Jan 18.  

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 unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable.  It also voted unanimously to change the discharge narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority” and to not change the reenlistment eligibility code.  

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 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 one Article 15 and one vacation of suspended nonjudicial punishment.  His misconduct included:  stealing merchandise from an Army and Air Force Exchange Service facility, underage drinking, and departing the base without approval.  

The applicant contended he was told by his commander that his discharge characterization would be automatically upgraded six months after being discharged.  

If the applicant’s contention is true, he was miscounseled.  A discharge is upgraded only if it is established that an inequity or impropriety took place at the time of discharge.  The board reviewed the applicant’s entire service record, but his discharge package was not included.  Typically, an Entry Level Separation is uncharacterized, but in this case, the applicant received a General discharge.  Due to the missing documentation, the board was unable to determine if the applicant’s separation was initiated within his first 180 days of service.  Since the DRB relies on the presumption of regularity, it concluded the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate.  However, the board determined the applicant’s discharge narrative reason should be changed to “Secretarial Authority.”  

CONCLUSION:  The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge characterization.  However, it determined the discharge narrative reason is more appropriately described as “Secretarial Authority” and voted unanimously to change it.   

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 8 Mar 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