RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-03777 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His character of service be changed from General, (Under Honorable Conditions), to Honorable. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He would like to receive his Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefit. He takes responsibility for his actions. He also served his country justly and would like to have what was promised to him, granted. He fulfilled the necessary requirement of paying one year into the MGIB and he served four years. That should allow him to use the MGIB to further his education for the sake of his family. He has recently married and also obtained a license in ministry. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. ________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 30 June 1999. On 14 August 2003, his commander notified him that he was recommending him for discharge from the Air Force for involuntary convenience of the government for unsatisfactory performance – irresponsibility in the management of personal finances in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, paragraph 5.26.4., and AFPD 36-32 Military Retirements and Separations. The specific reason for the proposed action was the applicant failed to disclose four delinquent accounts totaling approximately $3, 144.00, on his security clearance application which posed a significant security issue. As a result, his access to classified information was suspended pending resolution of the financial matters. The applicant was asked to provide specific financial information within 90 days of the suspension. On 2 June 2003, the applicant submitted a letter to his supervisor stating that he refused to provide any additional financial information to regain his security clearance. On 14 August 2003, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the commander’s intent to discharge him and his right to consult counsel, submit statements in his own behalf or waive either of these rights. On 19 August 2003, the applicant opted to consult counsel but waived his right to submit statements in his own behalf. Subsequent to the file being found legally sufficient the discharge authority approved the recommendation and directed the applicant be involuntarily separated from the Air Force for the convenience of the government. The applicant was discharged on 3 September 2003, with a narrative reason for separation of “unsatisfactory performance”, and was credited with 4 years, 2 months and 4 days of active duty service. ________________________________________________________________ AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 1. AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial. DPSOR states that the applicant's discharge was based on his unsatisfactory performance in his refusal to regain his security clearance. He was given ample opportunity to improve his performance and counseled on several occasions regarding his deficiencies. The discharge record reveals the applicant was counseled and afforded an opportunity to improve his performance. 2. In an effort to rehabilitate the applicant, he was formally counseled in his feedback session on the importance of his security clearance and given a referral EPR with a "2" rating for his financial irresponsibility. The applicant's refusal to submit additional information to regain his security clearance showed his resistance to comply with the law and Air Force standards. 3. Based on the documentation on file in the master personnel records, the applicant’s discharge to include the characterization of service was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the discretion of discharge authority. The applicant did not submit any evidence or identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.. The complete AFPC/DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C. ________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: 1. In his response, the applicant reiterates his contentions that he fulfilled the necessary requirement of paying into the MGIB and he served four years, which should allow him to use the MGIB to further his education. He further states that education is very important to him, as evidenced by his receipt of his ministry license, and he would like to receive his MGIB benefits to further his education and have an opportunity to make a better life for his wife. 2. The applicant explains that he was raised in a home where finances were never taught. He was also a victim of identity theft, while in the Air Force, which makes the case on his credit report invalid. He states that since being separated from the Air Force, he has remained in the work force in jobs that did not match his qualifications based on the training he received in the Air Force. 3. Additionally, he was never notified of his right to obtain a temporary clearance so that he could still come to work and perform his duties. Instead, he was reassigned to the Civil Engineering (CE) Squadron, which was clearly a place of punishment for Airmen in the Space Operations Squadron. While in the CE Squadron, he excelled and even received recognition as Airman of the Quarter. His CE Squadron supervisor provided comments in his EPR that indicated his performance was more than just satisfactory. The applicant’s complete response, with attachments, 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 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, or unduly harsh. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend granting the relief sought in this application. ________________________________________________________________ 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 16 May 2013, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: , Panel Chair , Member , Member The following documentary evidence was considered in AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03777: Exhibit A. DD Form 149 dated 7 July 2012, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 11 October 2012. Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 30 October 2012. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 5 November 2012, w/atchs. AFBCMR 1500 West Perimeter Road, Suite 3700 Joint Base Andrews NAF Washington, MD 20762 Dear: Reference your application submitted under the provisions of AFI 36-2603 (Section 1552, 10 USC), AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2012-03777. After careful consideration of your application and military records, the Board determined that the evidence you presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice. Accordingly, the Board denied your application. You have the right to submit newly discovered relevant evidence for consideration by the Board. In the absence of such additional evidence, a further review of your application is not possible. Attachment: Record of Board Proceedings 4 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON, DC Office of the Assistant Secretary