AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00503	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 29 Jun 2011 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a(n) General discharge for Misconduct (Other).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 29 Oct 2019.  

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 a Special Court Martial and Letters of Reprimand and Counseling.  His misconduct included:  several dereliction of duties, failure to follow orders and process documents, wrongfully appropriation of funds.

The applicant stated the discharge was inequitable because it was based on one isolated incident.  Applicant states he was part of an organization and during this time, he was going through marital and personal problems.  Due to his personal situation, he tried to take leave but was denied each time due to manning.  He decided to spend the money the organization raised for personal use.  He states that he put the money back, however he believes that he was discharged due to his job.  Since his discharge, he has had a stable job and he would like to have the upgrade to show is family and the world it was a one-time mistake.

The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his negative behavior.  The DRB recognized the applicant served over 2 years 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 DRB was pleased to see the applicant has been successful since leaving the Air Force.  However, the board reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant any changes to the discharge.  

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 14 Apr 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 (Applicant Only)