AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00217	
					
The applicant was discharged on 29 Jan 21 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 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 an Article 15, several Letters of Reprimand, and a Letter of Counseling.  His misconduct included: being drunk on duty, an ADAPT failure, being apprehended by the Sheriff’s department for felony grand theft valued at $3180.00, with intent to deceive, made multiple false statements regarding testing, failed to remain in quarantine, performed maintenance without documenting discrepancy-leading to aircraft damage, operated vehicle in reckless manner, received citation for driving 104 mph in a 65 mph zone, made false statement, stating the case for the speeding ticket was dismissed, and for sleeping on duty after previously receiving counseling on the issue.

The applicant requests an upgrade for the Character of his discharge. He states that he served honorable for 15 years with a very clean and respectable record. The member states that he was a dependable peer, supervisor and Airman and his minor mistakes have been addressed. The applicant requests the upgrade so that he may continue with his education and collect benefits since he has served 15 years.

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge characterization.  The Board understands the applicant’s present service characterization renders him ineligible for Department of Veterans Affairs’ education benefits.  However, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade. The Board thoroughly evaluated the applicant's duty performance as documented by his performance reports, awards and decorations, and other accomplishments. The Board recognized the applicant served 15 years before the discharge was initiated and reviewed the entire service record, but concluded the seriousness of the applicant’s willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service.   

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 20 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)