RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-03338

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

Her general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

She suffered from depression while on active duty and should have been honorably discharged for medical reasons.  Since being discharged, she continues to struggle with depression.  She would like her character of service changed so that she can enroll and qualify for Veterans Administration benefits.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 20 March 1996.

On 2 January 1997, the applicant was notified of her commander’s intent to recommend that she be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and Separations, and AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, for minor disciplinary infractions, as evidenced by one Article 15, three letters of reprimand, and two letters of counseling.  On the same day, the applicant acknowledged receipt.

On 8 January 1997, the staff judge advocate found the discharge legally sufficient and recommended the applicant be separated with a general (under honorable conditions) character of service, without probation and rehabilitation.  The discharge authority approved the recommendation on 8 January 1997.

On 16 January 1997, the applicant received a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. 

On 9 January 2017, a standard request for post-service information, including a current criminal background check by the FBI, was forwarded to the applicant (Exhibit C).  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an injustice.  It appears the discharge was consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the commander’s discretion.  Nor was the discharge unduly harsh or disproportionate to the offenses committed.  In the interest of justice, the Board considered upgrading the discharge based on clemency; however, given the evidence presented, and especially in the absence of post-service information from the applicant, the Board finds no basis to do so.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2017-03338 in Executive Session on 16 August 2018:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atch, dated 17 July 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Post Service Clemency Letter, w/atch, SAF/MRBC, dated 9 January 2017.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.