AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT CASE NUMBER FD-2020-00150 GENERAL: The applicant was discharged on 25 Jun 2019 in accordance with AFI 36-3207 with a(n) Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge for Unacceptable Conduct. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to General, a change to the discharge narrative reason. The board was conducted on 11 Aug 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 home address on 11 Aug 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 General, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority. 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 contended the discharge was inequitable. He states that his discharge was for a single offense after years of faithful service to his country. He clarifies that his offense was not a UCMJ violation but a training command violation. He contends that the relations he had were with fellow officers that had already completed their training. He admitted that he crossed the line between professional and personal relationships, and has been remorseful for his actions. He also notes that he was going through a difficult time due to experiencing significant personal and family problems that affected his ability to serve the way that he had for years. He states that while his offense was written as an unprofessional relationship, it did not go in the lines of fraternization nor abuse of power. There was no wrong doing involving assault/abuse/coercion nor any violent acts. Since his discharge, he has been gainfully employed, contributed to charities, coached sports and provided mentorship to young people. He acknowledges that made poor choices at a very difficult time which he will regret for the rest of his life. The DRB took note of the applicant's duty performance as documented by his performance reports, awards and decorations, and other accomplishments. It 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 board understood the applicant's present service characterization renders him ineligible for Department of Veteran Affairs benefits. 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. The board concluded the applicant's misconduct was a significant departure from the conduct expected of all military members. If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right to appeal the DRB's decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records. 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 8 Sep 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)