AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00764	
					
The applicant’s sponsor was discharged on 16 Jul 14 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Honorable discharge for Physical Standards.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her sponsor’s discharge narrative reason. 

The applicant’s representative appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), with counsel, via video teleconference using Zoom on 16 Mar 21.  No witnesses were present to testify 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 the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.

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 service member’s record of service included a couple of Letters of Reprimand. His misconduct included:  fitness failures.  

The applicant (service member’s dependent with POA) and counsel state that the GI Bill transfer was rescinded upon discharge for PT failures 26 days short of the Transfer ADSC. They state that the dependent has had a recoupment action initiated against her for the entire amount of the GI Bill. They state that a change to the Narrative Reason would waive the requirement. The applicant and counsel contend that he should have been placed on a permanent profile since he had a systemic worsening condition. But due to fear of an MEB, the medical system provided him temporary profiles without fixing the condition. They also explain that he was unable to adjust to the increasing standards of fitness, specifically the run time. They state that he did fine until the run was too fast for his ankles to handle. Secondly, they contend that it is inequitable due to the disproportionate and extreme hardship it has caused. The applicant is suffering this hardship because of 26 days left on an ADSC. Lastly, they state that due to changes in policy and procedures, there is substantial doubt he would’ve received the same discharge now. 

The DRB reviewed the service member’s entire record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge. As a senior enlisted member, he knew of the fitness requirements and the consequences of failing them. The board understood the unfortunate hardship that the dependent incurred as a result this discharge.  However, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade.  

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate her contentions, the board highly recommends she exercise the right to directly 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 her request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 18 Mar 21.  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)