AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  

CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00570
      					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 10 Apr 10 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason.  The board was conducted on 17 Sep 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 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 her discharge characterization to Honorable, and 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's record of service included two Article 15, two Letters of Reprimand, and two Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included: failure to sign in to complete cleaning assignments; unlawfully strike another airman; wrongful use of distasteful and derogatory racial comments to a fellow airman on social media; failure to obtain a passing score on fitness assessment; unlawfully strike and bit another airman; unlawfully strike, spit on, and bit another airman. 

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because she was unfairly discharged.  The applicant believes that a punishment was deserved, however, it should not hinder her ability to receive benefits.

The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change her negative behavior.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant's service outweighed the positive contributions she made during her Air Force career.    

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 her request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 2 Oct 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)