AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00357	
					
The applicant was discharged on 13 October 2013 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.  The Board was conducted on 9 November 2021.  

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 approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable. The Board voted unanimously to deny the request to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority and to change the reenlistment eligibility code.

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 multiple Letters of Reprimand.  His misconduct included:  Continuously maintained an unpaid balance on GTC; dishonorably failed to pay debts after receiving counselling; continued to maintain balance on GTC after signing an agreement 90 days prior, retained balance after 120 days. 

The applicant stated that he was discharged due to financial irresponsibility and understands that he made a mistake of not correcting his finances in a timely manner. He explained that post discharge, he has corrected those issues. The applicant also stated that he was notified he would receive an honorable discharge and that he was not put on notice that he may recieve a General discharge. 

CONCLUSION:  
The Board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated any inequity.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was improper. Specifically, the member was not notified of any other possible discharge character other than an Honorable. Therefore, the Board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge. The Board did not change the discharge narrative reason or the reenlistment eligibility code.    

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 10 November 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)