AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2021-00231	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 07 Dec 2016 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Failed medical/Physical Procurement Standards. 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 5 Oct 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 reenlistment eligibility code to 3A.

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 no document of misconduct.

The applicant requested an RE code change from 4C (failure to meet physical standards) so that he may attempt to reenter the military.  The applicant stated that he sprained his ankle during BMT which resulted in discharge with the narrative reason being failed medical/physical procurement standards.  He stated that after his discharge he attended Louisiana State University and wants to reenter the military.  He stated that he noticed his documents disqualified him due to not disclosing he had flat feet upon entering the military. The applicant stated that he did not have any chronic pain due to the shape of his feet and was under the impression that there had to be pain in his feet to be considered disqualifying.  He stated that he did not have pain in his feet so his condition should not have been disqualifying.

The DRB determined the applicant’s request for a change of re-entry code to allow for re-enlistment should be granted.  If the applicant is no longer having pain in his feet, he should have the opportunity to get an examination that will determine if he can reenter the military. The applicant would have to get a medical wavier based on his pre-existing condition.

CONCLUSION:  
The Board found neither the evidence of record, nor evidence provided by the applicant that substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was inequitable.  Therefore, the Board determined the reenlistment eligibility code would change to 3A.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 6 October 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)