AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00784	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 9 Nov 18 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 11 Jun 20.  

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 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 one Letter of Reprimand.  His misconduct included:  with intent to deceive, submitted a forged or falsified DD-214 and AF1288; and wore unauthorized medals in an official Air Force Photograph. 

The applicant contends the discharge is inequitable because his overall conduct and performance before, during, and after military service was positive.  The applicant states that he accepted responsibility for his actions, immediately admitted to his wrongful conduct, and showed remorse.  The applicant states the decision to initiate separation was discretionary, and not a mandatory decision.  He states that he petitioned the commander to downgrade the Letter of Reprimand to a Letter of Admonishment or Letter of Counseling to avoid the consequences to his career, but the commander denied the request and recommended discharge.  The applicant pointed to accomplishments and decorations he received throughout his career as evidence of his overall performance.  The applicant believes that his post-service activities should mitigate his in-service actions.  He states that he sought counseling, is a mentor with an organization that mentors at-risk adolescent men, and serves as an assistant scout master with his local scout troop.      

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 16 Jun 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)