AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00206	
					
The applicant was discharged on 13 Apr 18 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Unsatisfactory Performance.  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 Board was conducted on 9 Sep 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 upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, 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’s record of service included Letters of Reprimand, and a Letter of Counselling.  His misconduct included: failed to complete homework; failed a portion of unit 2 test; failed to complete homework (second offense); engaged in academic misconduct, used online translating tool to translate multiple sentences in homework assignment; maintained marginal academic standards on unit 1-3 tests; failed unit 4 test; failed to complete homework assignment, recommended for disenrollment; possessed alcohol under the age of 21 inside dormitory room.  

The member stated that at DLI (Defense Language Institute) you must receive 85%. He states that about 6 months into the program he received an 82%. He explains that he was cut from the program but was not offered another language or career path and was discharged with a General. The member would like to join the Naval Aviator program. 

The DRB determined that the administrative actions taken by the applicant's chain of command provided the applicant ample opportunities to change his negative behavior and poor performance. Additionally, the board noted inconsistencies in the narrative that the applicant provided in his application versus the information contained in the applicant’s discharge package. The Board concluded that the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career. The DRB deemed the characterization of the applicant's discharge was appropriate.

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 17 September 2021.  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)