RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-05107 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His entry level separation be upgraded to general (under honorable conditions or honorable. APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: He entered basic training with a great desire to serve. Once he arrived at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, he had a brief lapse in judgment that changed his goals. He was young, but so was the officer in charge. The officer in charge’s tactics to discipline all the young airmen that looked like him were abrasive at the least, and he responded accordingly. He was later informed the officer was relieved of command. His discharge was entry level; however, his active service exceeded 180 days. The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A. STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 5 August 1986. On 28 May 1987, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to discharge him from the Air Force for entry level performance. Specifically, the applicant received two Article 15s and a Letter of Counseling. He acknowledged his commander’s intent and consulted counsel; however, he waived his right to submit matters for the commander’s consideration. On 29 May 1987, the separation authority approved the discharge. The applicant was discharged on 29 May 1987 with an entry level separation. His narrative reason for separation was listed as entry level performance. He was credited with 9 months and 25 days of active duty service. On 1 July 2015, a request for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends approval of upgrading the applicant’s discharge to general (under honorable conditions). The master personnel records show that efforts to get the applicant to conform to Air Force standards, to include demotion action, did not meet with success. The commander concluded that the applicant showed total disregard of the standards set forth and he was a poor candidate for any further attempts at rehabilitation. Therefore discharge action was initiated and the SPD code and narrative reason for separation are correct as indicated on the applicant’s DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty There was an error in type of discharge and service characterization. According to the calculation of the applicant’s service, he was on active duty for 9 months by the time the discharge action was initiated. This exceeds the minimum requirement for entry level separation and uncharacterized service. In accordance with the regulation at the time, AFR 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airmen, para 5- 22, airmen were given entry-level separation or uncharacterized service characterization when separation is initiated in the first 180 continuous days of active service. Based on the length of active service and the circumstances surrounding his separation, the applicant should have been discharged with a general (under honorable conditions discharge. Should the Board agree, the record should be corrected to reflect the applicant received a discharge as the type of separation and his character of service should be changed to general (under honorable conditions). The complete AFPC/DPSOR evaluation, with attachment, is at Exhibit C. APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION: In response to a request for post-service information, the applicant submitted character statements attesting that he sought employment immediately after separating from the Air Force and earned his bachelor’s degree. He has also been with the same company for over 2 decades. He is a family oriented man who is very dedicated to his children and his job. The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit F. 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. Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case and agree with the opinion and recommendation of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt its rationale as the basis for our conclusion that based on the applicant’s length of service of more than 180 days of continuous service, he should been discharged with service characterized as general (under honorable conditions). Therefore, we recommend the applicant’s record be corrected as indicated below. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to the APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 29 May 1997, his type of separation was listed as discharge, his service was characterized as general (under honorable conditions) and his reenlistment code was listed as 2B. The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2014-05107 in Executive Session on 29 September 2015 under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: All members voted to correct the record, as recommended. The following documentary evidence was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 13 Feb 15, w/atchs. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 19 Apr 15. Exhibit D. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 8 May 15. Exhibit E. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 1 Jul 15. Exhibit F. Letter, Applicant’s Response, 26 July 15, w/atchs. 1 2