AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00645	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 1 Jun 05 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 22 Feb 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 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.

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 a Special Court-Martial conviction for wrongfully displaying pornographic images on a government computer (x2), requesting nude photographs from a subordinate, and showing nude photographs of himself to a subordinate.  

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because his punishment was too harsh compared to other similar cases.  The applicant also believed the denial of his retirement request compounded the severity of the punishment he received.  He requested an upgrade in an effort to receive all the benefits afforded to an Airman who retires after 20 years of service. 

The DRB recognized the applicant served over 20 years, but his misconduct took place over a number of those years.  The board reviewed his entire service record, but concluded the seriousness of his willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service.  It also noted he was afforded multiple appeal rights at the time of his discharge, such as meeting an Administrative Discharge Board, requesting to retire in lieu of discharge to the Secretary of the Air Force Personnel Council, etc.  The DRB does not have the authority to grant retirement benefits.  

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 5 Apr 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