RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-02510 INDEX CODE: 110.02 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: YES _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable. _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He did everything he was asked or told to do. He was not permitted to leave the base for an entire year due to racial tension. He got into trouble once for coming to work with the smell of alcohol on his breath. He was given a three-day detail; however, three weeks later he was discharged. The murder of a staff sergeant caused him to be miserable, walk around in shock for some time, and eventually led to his drinking. After the incident, he was afraid it could happen to him. He never had any trouble prior to his alcohol problem. He was not given an opportunity to complete rehabilitation. In support of his request, the applicant provides personal statements. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 20 May 87. On 31 Mar 88, the applicant’s commander notified him of pending discharge action. Specifically, the commander cited Failure in the Alcohol Abuse Program as the basis for discharge. Records reveal the applicant was counseled and reprimanded on several occasions for alcohol abuse. The applicant consulted counsel, submitted statements in his own behalf, and requested probation and rehabilitation. On 26 Apr 88, the staff judge advocate found the case legally sufficient and recommended discharge without rehabilitation and probation. On 27 Apr 88, the discharge authority directed the applicant be discharged with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. The applicant was discharged on 4 May 88 and is credited with 1 year, 1 month, and 15 days of active service. Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of Investigation provided an investigative report which is at Exhibit C. A copy of the report and a request for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant on 7 Sep 10 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). In response to the Board’s request, the applicant states that after leaving the military he worked in a state hospital as a mental health worker for several years until he decided to begin a four-year apprenticeship to become a sheet metal worker journeyman. He received his journeyman’s license in 1997 and worked successfully until 2004. In 2007, he discovered he had a daughter and has recently become a grandfather. He wants to further his education, to be a better person, and help raise his granddaughter and be the father that he was never able to be. He is currently in a veteran’s treatment program which is helping him deal with issues of the past and to be successful in the future. The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit E. _________________________________________________________________ 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 an error or an injustice. After careful consideration of the available evidence, we found no indication that the actions taken to effect his discharge were improper or contrary to the provisions of the governing regulations in effect at the time. Additionally, in view of the contents of the FBI Identification Record, we are not persuaded that the characterization of the applicant’s discharge warrants an upgrade to honorable on the basis of clemency. Having found no error or injustice with regard to the actions that occurred while the applicant was a military member, we conclude that no basis exists to grant favorable action on his request. 4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel will materially add to our understanding of the issues involved. Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably considered. _________________________________________________________________ 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 Docket Number BC- 2010-02510 in Executive Session on 14 October 2010, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 2 Jul 10, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. FBI Report. Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 7 Sep 10, w/atchs. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 27 Sep 10.