AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  

CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00102
      					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 21 Jul 06 in accordance with AFI 36-3206 with an Honorable discharge for Voluntary Separation for Miscellaneous Reasons.  The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason.  The board was conducted on 30 Jul 19.  

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 deny the applicant's request to change the discharge narrative reason to "For Convenience of the Government."

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 did not include any disciplinary actions.

The applicant contended that he was unsuccessful in completing the initial pilot training, and was given the option to leave Active Duty or take an assignment at the mercy of the Air Force.  The applicant admits that he was warned of a discharge through force shaping if he was unable to complete the initial training.  He states that he was given the option to transfer to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), or remain on Active Duty with no indication of his where his first assignment would take him.  The applicant states that he chose to separate for the convenience of the government because the Air Force already stated, through force shaping programs, that they wanted fewer junior officers.  The applicant is requesting the change of his narrative reason to match the force shaping programs that existed when he separated.    

The DRB reviewed the applicant's record and found that the applicant chose to separate rather than take an assignment that met the needs of the Air Force.  Additionally, the applicant submitted a "Miscellaneous" separation request, therefore the narrative reason is correct.  The board concluded that the voluntary decision by the applicant did not constitute an impropriety or an inequity which would warrant relief.  

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 22 Aug 19.  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