AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00415	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 5 Apr 06 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 30 Aug 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.

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’s record of service included one Article 15, four Letters of Reprimand, one Letter of Admonishment, and two Records of Individual Counsel.  His misconduct included:  willful failure to return to appointed place of duty; failure to pay debt; failure to maintain a serviceable door knob on dorm room door; failure to obey a lawful order (x2); failure to show proper respect to a Non-Commissioned officer; failure to adhere to zero tolerance harassment policy; failure to adhere to dress and appearance standards; and unprofessional behavior. 

The applicant contended that he served honorably.  The applicant insists that after realizing his environment was uncomfortable, he attempted to retrain into Security Forces.  The applicant states that his First Sergeant was assisting him with retraining, but while TDY the interim First Sergeant processed and separated him within six hours.  

The DRB recognized the applicant served 1 year before the discharge was initiated and reviewed the entire service record, but concluded the seriousness of the applicant’s willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service.  The board concluded there was no evidence of impropriety or inequity found in the record to warrant any changes to the discharge.  

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.    

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 6 Sep 18.  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