RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF				DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-04723

							COUNSEL: NONE

							HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

Prior to departing for his assignment to Turkey, his wife’s brother was found dead, which significantly impacted his wife.  His wife was despondent with the thought of his departure to Turkey, so he made an immature decision to stay and missed his flight in order to stay with his wife, and was reported as absent without leave.  The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant is a former Air Force sergeant.

The applicant was recorded as absent without leave on or about 1 Jul 70 – 29 Jul 70.

The applicant was recorded as deserter on or about 30 Jul 70 – 11 Nov 70.

The applicant requested a hardship discharge (undated) on the grounds that his wife was not able to take care of herself and their son.

The applicant acknowledged receipt of discharge action (undated).

On 23 Dec 70, the discharge authority approved the recommendation for a general discharge, SDN 227 (hardship discharge).  

On 30 Dec 70, the applicant was furnished a general, under honorable conditions discharge (hardship discharge).

A request for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant on 28 Dec 17 for review and comment within 30 days (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:

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 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, 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-2017-04723 in Executive Session on 19 Jun 18:

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

Exhibit A:  Application, DD Form 149, w/atch, dated 14 Oct 17.
Exhibit B:  Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:  AFBCMR letter, w/atch, dated 28 Dec 17. 

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-2017-04723.