DRB DIGEST/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
DRB DOCKET 2016-055
NAME
E2
CURRENT DD-214
Under Honorable Conditions, COMDTINST M1000.4 Article 1-B-1, JNC, RE4,
Unacceptable Conduct
RELIEF REQUESTED
Honorable
RELIEF GRANTED
BY DRB
Change Character of Service to: Honorable
ADMIN
CORRECTIONS

TIS
1 year, 10 months, 14 days

Policy Implications
None

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Applicant was discharged in February 2016 for Unacceptable Conduct.

The basis for the Applicant’s discharge was failure to successfully complete her 6 month probationary period. In October 
2015, her Commanding Officer placed her on performance probation for unsuitability for a period of 6 months. Shortly 
thereafter, she submitted a memo notifying her Command that she is unable to conform to military standards and is 
requesting discharge from the Coast Guard.

The Board finds no issues with propriety in this case. The Board has carefully reviewed the current petition and finds no 
error of fact on the basis to separate the applicant from the service.

However, the Board did find issues with equity in this case. The Board examined the Military Separations manual with 
respect to the criteria for characterization of service for the Under Honorable Conditions and for Honorable discharge. 
Given the totality of the member's service record against the criteria, the Board believed the discharge characterization of 
a General discharge drew significant equitability concerns in accordance with Part 51 Title 33 of the CFR, which 
discusses the equity standard of review.

The Board reviewed the Applicant’s military service record, application (personal statement) and letters of 
recommendation and determined the material to be relevant. The Board discussed if there was sufficient evidence that 
established the quality of her service and if the type of discharged received was justifiable.

Despite the undesired behavior, the Board does recommend a partial upgrade to reflect that the Applicant’s troubles were 
performance-laden in a very short period of time. The majority opinion (3-2) among the panel is that the Character of 
Service is best characterized as ‘Honorable’.

Minority Board voted 2-3 for the discharge to stand as issued.

The Applicant was notified of the intent to discharge, and the Applicant was advised of the right to an attorney. The 
Applicant did make a statement on their behalf and did not object to being discharged.

RECOMMENDATION: The Board members thoroughly reviewed the applicant’s record of service and all available 
documentation1. The Board deemed that the applicant’s reason for separation and reenlistment code are appropriate and 
should not be changed.
Propriety:	Discharge was proper.
Equity:	Discharge was NOT equitable.
Board Conclusion:	The Majority Board voted 3-2 to recommend partial relief on the following item(s):
DD
-214 Item
Board Decision


24. Discharge
Honorable