AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00539	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 6 Mar 16 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Commission of a Serious Offense).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 3 Oct 18.  

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), but declined and requested the board be completed based on a records only review.  The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service. 
  
FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.

DISCUSSION:  The DRB, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant’s discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the narrative reason for discharge if such changes are warranted.  If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code.  In reviewing discharges, the board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption, to include evidence submitted by the applicant.  The board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.  

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because it was based on an isolated incident in over five years of service.  The applicant states that he has always accepted responsibility for his actions.  However, he points to his meritorious service in the USMC prior to joining the Air National Guard as evidence of his true character.  The applicant is requesting the upgrade and the change to the reenlistment eligibility code in an effort to reenlist in the USMC Reserve.

Upon review of the applicant’s service record, the board was not able to find any documentation regarding the discharge, and the applicant did not provide substantial evidence to prove the inequity.  Since the board relies on the presumption of regularity, it concluded the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate.  

CONCLUSION:  The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  Therefore, the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and his request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 5 Oct 2018.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  
Air Force Review Boards Agency
Attn: Discharge Review Board
1500 West Perimeter road, Suite 3700
Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602  

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief