RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2017-05185

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: YES

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

During his first two years of enlistment, he had a good record of service, received some decorations, and did not have any disciplinary actions against him.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 5 May 1986.  On 9 June 1989, he received a discharge under honorable conditions (general) for “Exceeding Air Force Weight Standards.”  At the time of the applicant’s discharge, Air Force policy allowed a general service characterization for exceeding weight standards.  However, AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, paragraph 5.28.2, now states, “…if the sole reason for separation is for failure to meet physical fitness standards, then only an honorable characterization may be given.”  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit D.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DP2STM recommends denying the application.  The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority.  The complete advisory is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

The Board sent a copy of the Air Force evaluation to the applicant on 21 August 2018, for comment (Exhibit E), but has received no response.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

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, the Board concludes that the applicant is the victim of an injustice.  Current policy dictates that if the sole reason for separation is failure to meet physical fitness standards, then only an honorable characterization may be given.  Since the applicant’s discharge was solely for failure to meet weight standards, and since the practice of this Board has been to evaluate service characterizations based on changed standards, the Board recommends correcting his records as set forth below.

4.  The applicant has not shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel would materially add to the Board’s understanding of the issues involved.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 9 June 1989, he was honorably discharged.

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-2017-05185 in Executive Session on 27 September 2018:

, Panel Chair
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

Ms. XXXXXXXX and Ms. XXXXXXXXXX voted to correct the record.  Mr. XXXXXXXX voted to deny the application as untimely; he did not provide a minority opinion.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 17 November 2017.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory opinion, AFPC/DP2STM, dated 8 August 2018.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to applicant, dated 21 August 2018.

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