AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2021-00572	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 8 February 2021 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level Separation for Entry level Performance and Conduct. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization.  The Board was conducted on 27 January 2022.

The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

The applicant requested the board be completed based on a records-only review.

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. 

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’s record of service included multiple Letters of Reprimand. Her misconduct included:  speaking with male trainees in dining facility after the MTI gave a direct order not to, on three separate occasions; holding up notes to male trainees in the door window while on entry controller duty; using cell phone twice without authorization; failing to properly perform Entry Controller duties, specifically through her own admission, left post while on duty to take a shower without being properly relieved; using makeup and when questioned, lied, by stating she did not have makeup in her possession..

The applicant stated that an upgrade is requested because she would like to reenlist. The member explained that she made mistakes in BMT due to the lack of maturity and discipline she had at the time. She stated that now she knows what is expected of her and will be able to perform even better from the experience she has had. She explained that being able to reenlist would give the opportunity to get help with schooling to help her family at home.  

The DRB recognized the applicant’s preference to upgrade her discharge characterization.  However, in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service.  If separated during this time, they normally receive an Entry Level Separation that is not characterized.  Because it is Air Force policy to not characterize this type of separation, the applicant’s request to “upgrade” to Honorable could not be approved.   

Additionally, The applicant’s request for a change of re-entry code to allow for re-enlistment could not be supported. The member’s conduct during basic military training is not indicative of the caliber of Airmen the Air Force requires. The applicant was separated less than 1 year ago and she has not provided sufficient evidence that she has corrected her behavior and has been rehabilitated. 

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.
 
CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s contentions, summary of service, service/medical record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper. Therefore, the characterization of service shall remain Entry Level Separation, the narrative reason for separation shall remain Entry Level Performance and Conduct, and the reentry code shall remain a 2C. The AFDRB results were approved by the Board president on 2 February 2022.  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)