AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00028	
					
The applicant was discharged on 19 Jul 10 in accordance with AFI 36-3207 with a(n) Honorable discharge for Failure to Complete a Course of Instruction.  The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason. The Board was conducted on 6 May 21.  

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 change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C / 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 states that he dropped on request from undergraduate pilot training prior to starting training class. He states that his intent was to reclassify into a non-rated career field in order to lower his commitment to 4 years.  He explains that while waiting on the reclass process, he learned of a coming reduction in force for non-rated officers. He states that the superintendent at the time offered to waive his ADSC under the reduction in force program since she knew his overarching desire was to pursue theological seminary and enter ministry. He states that they arranged for this to happen and his DD 2648 reflects this reduction in force reason for separation, however the 214 is coded as JHF. He states that therefore, he’s requesting the 214 to match the 2648. The member explains that the current paperwork as it stands has been very confusing for potential employers since it does not reflect his reduction in force on the 214. He states that it’s also prevented him from qualifying for VA home loan benefits since his service is below 24 months. The member concludes that he believes his case should be considered because the DD 2648 shows that the reason for separation was reduction in force. 

Upon review of the applicant’s service record, the Board was not able to find any documentation regarding the discharge.  The RE code of JHF is consistent with a member that failed to complete a course of instruction.  Since the board relies on the presumption of regularity, it concluded the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate. The DRB found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge.  The Board understood the applicant’s present narrative reason for separation may render him ineligible for some Department of Veteran Affairs benefits.  However, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade.  

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.  

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 6 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  

Instructions on how to appeal an AFDRB decision can be found at 
https://afrbaportal.azurewebsites.us

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)