AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00674	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 24 Feb 20 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 12 Nov 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/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 his discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C.

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 an Article 15, a few Letters of Reprimand, and several Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included:  Failed to go to prescribed place of duty; failure to refrain from watching tv while on duty; failure to meet training requirements for job; failure to attend mandatory training; failure to shave and have proper badge on uniform; failure to pay military star card on time; failure to meet training requirements; loss of CAC; failure to report to duty on time. 

The member contends inequity. He states that he was wrongfully accused of committing fraud by stealing a check. He goes on to state that he had just finished initial training. He states he arrived at his duty station and was placed on do not arm list and removed from Security forces building. The member states he was placed on dorm guard duty while under investigation. He goes on to state that he was completing tasks and would return to dorm after afterword’s which was prohibited. He states that because of these two incidents and at times, speak or act out of line at times, he was given a general discharge. He states he feels the harshness of punishment was unjustified. The member goes on to state that he has tried to change but has found it difficult to find meaningful employment.

The DRB 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 DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found insufficient evidence to grant the applicant’s request. The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career. The characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate.

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, the DRB found no conclusive indication that any mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct or 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. 

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or directly appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 12 Nov 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)