AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00486	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 04 Oct 04 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General Discharge for Failure to Meet Financial Obligations.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 18 Sept 18.  

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), without counsel, at Joint Base Andrews, MD, on 18 Sept 18.  No witnesses were present on the applicant’s behalf.  

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 approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 6A.

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 3 Letters of Reprimand. His misconduct included:  failure to pay his Government Travel Card bill.

The applicant contended the discharge was improper because he only had the one incident in the 36 months of service, and his debt was satisfied three months prior to his discharge.  He also contended the discharge was inequitable because he was on an established payment plan with the military pay office, as required by his unit prior.

The DRB reviewed the evidence submitted by the applicant and noted that a payment plan was setup and he satisfied the debt months prior to discharge.  The DRB determined that the discharge was inequitable and that relief is warranted based upon the evidence and consideration of the applicant’s service record, including an Air Force Achievement Medal.  

CONCLUSION:  

The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was inequitable.  Therefore, the board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable and the discharge narrative reason was more accurately described as “Secretarial Authority.”  Additionally, the reenlistment eligibility code was changed to “6A” 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 24 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