AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2019-00561	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 13 Jan 2014 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a(n) Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Termination of Initial Active Duty Training.  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 02 Jul 2020.  

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), with, via video teleconference using VIDYO Cloud Connect between Joint Base Andrews, MD, and applicant’s home address on 02 Jul 2020.  No witnesses were present and/or testified 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 deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.

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 Record of Individual Counseling and several Student Record of Academic Counseling and Comments (AETC Form 173).  His misconduct included: arriving late to formation, returning to room without authorization, failing to maintain room in inspection order, failing to obey lawful order when failing to report to MTL and multiple failure of block tests.

The applicant and counsel contended the discharge was improper/inequitable.  It was improper due to an error in command discretion and inequitable for not allowing him to retrain into a new AFSC.  They stated that he should have been given an opportunity to go into another AFSC that was better suited for his skill set since he still could have been a valuable asset to the military.  They also stated in their application that the applicant was improperly discharged under the language of AFI 36-3208.  The language of Entry Level Separation has caused him consternation and frustration for the applicant and will continue to do so.  They contended inequity since the applicant was beyond the 180 day limit and the erroneous discharge continues to impair the applicant in his civilian life.  They also believe that he deserved a second chance to have the opportunity to serve in the military again.  

In accordance with AFI 36-3208, Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service.  If separated during this time, they normally receive an Entry Level Separation that is not characterized.  Because it is Air Force policy to not characterize this type of separation, the applicant’s request to “upgrade” it to Honorable could not be approved.  The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge.   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 17 Jul 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)