AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00334	
					
The applicant was discharged on 18 Mar 2009 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge for Civilian Conviction.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 29 Sep 2020.  

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), without counsel, via video teleconference using VIDYO Cloud Connect between Joint Base Andrews, MD, and applicant’s location on 29 Sep 2020.  No witnesses were present and 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.

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 made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  He claimed that prior to his separation he was arrested and convicted of writing a bad check and was released on his own reconnaissance.  He further claimed he informed his superiors about the arrest.  Finally, he asserted he has become a more responsible person since his discharge and has learned from his mistakes.  

A review of the military record revealed the applicant was arrested in New York in Dec 2007 for Grand Larceny 4th degree for passing a bad check in an amount over $1000.  He was convicted of the offense in Jun 2008 and was sentenced to 5 years probation.  The DRB determined that, the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case were appropriate and found the seriousness of the applicant’s willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service.  

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 9 Oct 2020.  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)