AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2020-00766	
					
The applicant was discharged on 26 Jun 18 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  

The applicant was represented by counsel.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), with counsel, via video teleconference using Zoom on 4 May 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 2 to 1 to approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable. It voted unanimously to approve changing 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 applicant’s record of service included an Article 15, a few Letters of Reprimand, and a few Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included:  Drunk and disorderly; use of GTC for unauthorized purchases; failure to go to place of duty at time prescribed; failed dorm inspection; lost restricted area badge.  

The applicant and counsel state that the character of service is unfair and unjust. They state that the totality of the member’s service outweighs the minor infractions. They contend that the member’s right to counsel and right to a personal appearance with the commander were not given. During the personal appearance, the member and counsel made contentions of racism. Specifically multiple incidents of overt and unconscious bias. They stated that they are requesting upgrade because the member would like to join another service. 

CONCLUSION:  
The Board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was inequitable. The board concluded that the events leading to the discharge were harshly dealt with due to the lack of continuity in the unit resulting in the appearance of a pattern of misconduct that simply wasn’t there and that this member was being treated differently than the norm.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge and the discharge narrative reason was more accurately described as “Secretarial Authority.”  Additionally, the reenlistment eligibility code was changed to “3K.”  

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 18 May 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)