AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00392	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 06 Jul 04 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a(n) General discharge for Misconduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 08 Oct 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 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 an Article 15 for being absent from the unit for more than one day.

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because he had performed his duties above and beyond and was given no option to salvage his military service.  He states that he failed to report for duty during a time period, voluntarily leaving the base to visit his hometown, and upon his return he was given the Article 15.  The applicant states his discharge did not appear to be in line with the standards of the Non-Judicial Punishment.  He believes that he has a service connected disability and would like to apply for VA benefits that he is entitled to.  After a thorough review of the record, the board found no evidence to justify making any changes to the discharge.  The board understood the applicant’s present service characterization renders him ineligible for full Department of Veteran Affairs benefits.  However, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career.   

Upon review of the applicant’s service record, the board was not able to find any documentation regarding the discharge.  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 10 Jan 20.  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
3351 Celmers Lane
Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602  

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief