RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

 AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2010-03881 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His general (under honorable conditions) character of service be 
upgraded to honorable. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

The reason for his early discharge was based on his inability to 
pass exams. During the time he was attending school, he had to 
have surgery due to trauma to his upper jaw area. He was in 
severe pain and was not able to concentrate effectively. 

 

Since his discharge in 1958, he has always wanted to have an 
honorable character of service. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a personal 
statement and documents from his military personnel record, 
including his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, 
issued in conjunction with his 23 May 58 separation. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant reenlisted in the Regular Air Force on 13 Nov 57 
for a period of four years. 

 

On 30 Apr 58, the commander initiated administrative discharge 
action against the applicant by reason of inaptness. The 
reasons for the proposed action were based on the applicant’s 
failure to make satisfactory progress in a required training 
program. He was eliminated from the Munitions Specialist 
training course for unsatisfactory performance after failing the 
first phase test and the basic military training final written 
exam three times. Prior to disenrollment, the applicant was 
counseled concerning his performance, by the branch supervisors 
and instructors. Efforts to improve his performance were met 
with negative results. On that same date, the applicant waived 


his right to a hearing by a board of officers. The discharge 
authority directed discharge under honorable conditions, 
general. 

 

On 23 May 58, the applicant was discharged under the provisions 
of AFR 39-16, by reason of unsuitability, with service 
characterized as general (under honorable conditions). He was 
credited with 6 months and 11 day of active duty service. 

 

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation, Clarksburg, West Virginia, indicated based on 
data furnished; they are unable to locate an arrest record. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 during the discharge process. 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 also note that 
based on the circumstances of the applicant’s separation and his 
short period of service, less than 180 days, under today’s 
standards he most likely would receive an entry level separation 
with uncharacterized service and would not qualify for an 
honorable discharge. As such, we find no basis to upgrade his 
discharge as requested. Additionally, it appears the 
applicant’s current character of service may entitle him to 
greater benefits than he would receive if discharged under 
today’s standards. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the 
contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting his request. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2010-03881 in Executive Session on 7 July 2011, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Sep 10, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.