RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2008-04028 

 INDEX CODE: 110.02 

  COUNSEL: NONE 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

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

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

At the time of his discharge, it was his understanding that it 
was permitted to be granted an early out; however, it was not 
permissible to be given an honorable discharge due to lack of 
time served. There was no error or injustice. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provided a personal 
statement and a copy of his DD Form 214, Report of Separation 
from the Armed Forces of the United States. 

 

The applicant's complete submission, with attachments, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

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STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 24 June 1954, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force 
at the age of 20 in the grade of airman basic. He was 
progressively promoted to the grade of airman second class (E-3) 
with a date of rank of 1 April 1955. 

 

On 31 August 1955, his adjutant requested the applicant receive a 
psychiatric evaluation due to the applicant’s inability to work 
under pressure. The adjutant stated that each time the applicant 
was counseled, he indicated a lack of interest to continue with 
any job, complained of severe headaches, and expressed he wanted 
to get out of the service. A Medical Certificate, dated 
7 September 1955, indicates the applicant was diagnosed with 
Emotional Instability Reaction and included a recommendation that 
he be processed for an administrative separation. After 
acknowledging his commander’s intent to discharge him, the 
applicant waived his right to appear before a board of officers 
and requested he be discharged without benefit of board 
proceedings. He also indicated he understood his discharge would 
be characterized as general under honorable conditions. 

 



On 30 September 1955, the discharge authority approved the 
applicant’s recommended discharge. On 7 October 1955, the 
applicant was separated with a general (under honorable 
conditions) discharge under the authority of Air Force Regulation 
39-16. He served 1 year, 3 months, and 14 days on active duty. 

 

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the FBI indicated that on the 
basis of the data furnished, they were unable to locate an arrest 
record pertaining to the applicant. 

 

On 30 December 2008, the applicant was given the opportunity to 
submit comments about his post service activities (Exhibit C). 
The applicant responded with a personal statement explaining his 
work history (Exhibit D). 

 

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 

 

1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing 
law or regulations. 

 

2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 

 

3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice 
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of 
the case; however, we find no evidence of an error or injustice 
that occurred in the discharge processing. Based on the 
available evidence of record, it appears the discharge was 
consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge 
regulation and within the commander's discretionary authority. 
The applicant has provided no evidence which would lead us to 
believe the characterization of the service was contrary to the 
provisions of the governing regulation, unduly harsh, or 
disproportionate to the offenses committed. We considered 
upgrading the discharge based on clemency; however, we do not 
find the evidence presented is sufficient to compel us to 
recommend granting the relief sought on that basis. Therefore, 
in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon 
which to recommend granting the relief sought. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that 
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and 
that the application will only be reconsidered upon the 
submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered 
with this application. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 



 

The following members of the Board considered this application in 
Executive Session on 19 February 2009, under the provisions of 
AFI 36-2603: 

 
 

The following documentary evidence was considered in connection 
with AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-04028: 

 

Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 23 Oct 08, w/atchs. 

Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. 

Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR , dated 30 Dec 08 

Exhibit D. Applicant’s Letter, dated 8 Jan 09.