AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00515

The applicant was discharged on 31 October 2008 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Erroneous Entry.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The Board was conducted on 9 December 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 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 3K.

DISCUSSION:  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 contended the discharge was improper because he was misdiagnosed with a medical condition while attending basic military training that he does not have.  He asserted he was not aware he had this condition prior to entering the service and denied currently having any disqualifying medical conditions.  He requested a change to his RE Code to allow him the opportunity to reenter the military.

A review of the record revealed the applicant was discharged for Pes Planus (flat feet) and stress fractures.  The medical record indicated this condition existed prior to the military and was reported to MEPS.  According to DODI 6130.3, rigid or symptomatic Pes Planus, acquired or congenital, does not meet military standards.  The DRB concluded at the time of his MEPS physical the applicant was likely asymptomatic and therefore cleared to enter the service.  However, during basic military training, he later developed chronic pain in his feet and eventually developed stress fractures.  The DRB also noted the applicant chose to not pursue a waiver to allow his retention in the military.  

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 December 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)