AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00386	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 5 December 2008 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge characterization and the Narrative Reason for Separation was Failure to Pay Back Debt to Government. The applicant appealed for a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.

The applicant was not represented by counsel and 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, and a Letter of Counseling.  His misconduct included knowingly misused GTC and failure to pay back debt.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant requested a RE code change.  A recruiter informed the applicant that he was eligible to return to service.  He proceeded with the paperwork to reenter until it was discovered that he would need his RE code changed first.  The applicant stated that he wrongly used his GTC after he was involved in an accident and needed to put a card on file.  He stated that he informed his leadership of his situation, and his card was deactivated. 

The applicant stated that he called the rental company and asked them not to bill the card.  He said that they charged the card anyway.  He stated that he tried to make arrangements to repay the amount required.  The applicant stated he was in a rough financial situation after dealing with a divorce at the time and supporting two young children.  

The DRB determined that the applicant had ample opportunities to pay back the debt that he acquired over the six month time span.  The applicant did not provide any evidence to indicate he took efforts to resolve the debt to the government.  Based on a lack of evidence to indicate otherwise the applicant’s reenlistment code is equitable and proper. The DRB concluded that the administrative actions taken by the chain of command were appropriate based on the applicant’s misconduct.  After reviewing the applicant’s entire service record, the DRB did not find any evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant any changes to the discharge.  

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C or 3K.
 
CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s issues, summary of service, service records, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service, the narrative reason for separation and the reentry code shall not change.  The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 14 November 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)