RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04389

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX				COUNSEL: NONE

							HEARING: NO 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His General, Under Honorable Conditions, discharge be upgraded to an Honorable discharge.

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Problems escalated between him and his wife and she wanted a divorce.  They also had a newborn.  He thought if he could go overseas, things would get better.  He was then sent to Morocco.  While in Morocco, he explained to a master sergeant his domestic issues and he was advised that if he continued to misbehave he could get a discharge.  He feels sorry for the decisions he made in service as a result of his immaturity.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Force airman basic.

On 21 Aug 59, the applicant was notified of the commander’s intent to recommend the applicant be discharged from the Air Force as an unsuitable airman.  The reasons for the action include:

	a.  On or about 10 Jul 59, failure to report for duty, for which he was reduced to airman third class.

	b.  On or about 10 Aug 59, failure to report for duty, for which he was reduced to airman basic.

On 8 Sep 59, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the action and elected to not submit a statement on his behalf.

On 8 Sep 59, the discharge action was found legally sufficient and the discharge authority approved the recommendation (undated).  

On 6 Oct 59, the applicant was furnished a general, under honorable conditions discharge.

A request for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant on 7 Dec 17 for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C).  In response, he submitted an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) investigations report, which includes a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report, indicating the applicant was “arrested or received” on or about 1 Nov 61 and 12 Oct 95 (Exhibit D). 

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

THE BOARD CONCLUDES:

1.  The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the delay.

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 the applicant is the victim of an injustice.  While the Board finds no error in the original discharge process, in light of our broader mandate and after careful consideration of all the facts and circumstances of the applicant’s case, the Board is persuaded the applicant developed into a productive member of society since leaving the service.  It is apparent he has lived a life characterized by dedicated service to society over many years.  We believe the continued stigma of his discharge is unduly harsh and no longer serves any useful purpose.  Therefore, in the interest of justice and, in view of the passage of time, and his post-service achievements, we recommend upgrading the characterization of his General discharge to Honorable based on clemency.  Therefore, the Board recommends the applicant’s records 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 6 October 1959, he was honorably discharged with a narrative reason for separation of Secretarial Authority, and separation code of JFF.   

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-2017-04389 in Executive Session on 26 Jun 18:

, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member

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

Exhibit A:  Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 24 Sep 17.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  AFBCMR letter, w/atch, dated 7 Dec 17. 
Exhibit D:  Applicant’s response, dated 23 Apr 18.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9 regarding AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2017-04389.