RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-00811 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: His under other than honorable conditions (UOTHC) discharge be upgraded to a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. _______________________________________________________________ APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: It is unjust to not upgrade his discharge because he voluntarily served his country and did nothing wrong while in uniform or on duty to dishonor his country. In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a DD Form 293, Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States. The applicant's complete submission, with attachment, is at Exhibit A. _________________________________________________________________ STATEMENT OF FACTS: The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who entered active duty on 8 August 1969 in the grade of airman basic (E-1). After training, he served as an Inventory Management Specialist and was progressively promoted to the grade of sergeant (E-4) with a date of rank of 1 July 1971. On 25 October 1971, the applicant received Article 15 punishment for failure to go to the appointed place of duty on or about 20 October 1971, in violation of Article 92, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). His punishment consisted of reduction in grade to airman first class (E-3) suspended until 1 January 1972, and restriction to the base for 30 days. On 3 December 1971, the suspension of grade reduction was vacated due to him failing to go to his appointed place of duty at the prescribed time without authority on or about 29 November 1971 in violation of Article 86, UCMJ. On 28 February 1972, the applicant received Article 15 punishment for being disorderly on station at the USO Club on or about 11 February 1972 in violation of Article 134 UCMJ. He received punishment of a reprimand and restriction to the limits of the base for 14 days. On 2 April 1973, the applicant was convicted by civil court for petty theft. On 20 June 1973, the applicant entered a plea of guilty to a charge of forcible rape in the Superior Court of California, County of Yuba. He was subsequently sentenced to imprisonment for a period of six months to life. On 17 August 1973, the applicant’s commander recommended the applicant for discharge due to his civil court conviction for forcible rape, his civil conviction of petty theft and for uttering worthless checks. On 5 December 1973, a Board of Officers recommended the applicant be discharged for misconduct with an undesirable character of service. A legal review on 24 January 1974 indicates a recommendation of approval of the discharge board’s findings and recommendations. On 1 March 1974, the discharge authority approved the recommended discharge and directed the applicant be discharged with an undesirable character of service under the provisions of Air Force Manuel 39-12, Chapter 2, Section C, paragraph 2-23. On 1 March 1974, the applicant was discharged from active duty with an UOTHC discharge. He served 3 years, 6 months, and 28 days on active duty. On 25 February 1975 and 5 May 1978, the Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) considered and denied the applicant’s requests to upgrade his characterization of discharge. On 11 June 1979, the applicant’s appeal for a rehearing by the AFDRB of his request to upgrade his discharge was returned without action due to the fact that no new evidence was presented. The AFDRB indicated that if the applicant wanted to physically appear before the AFDRB, a rehearing would be granted. Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Clarksburg, WV, provided a copy of an Investigation Report (Exhibit C). On 27 July 2011, the applicant was given an opportunity to submit comments about his post service activities and in response to the FBI Report (Exhibit D). As of this date, this office has received no response. On 9 August 2011, the applicant responded indicating he has completed several rehabilitative courses, underwent mental evaluations, completed a two-year college degree, and has become a Christian since his discharge. He hopes and prays that enough time has passed for his misconduct to be forgiven. _________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT: 1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations. 2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file. 3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of the case; however, we find no evidence of an error or injustice that occurred in the discharge processing. Based on the available evidence of record, it appears the discharge was consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and within the commander's discretionary authority. The applicant has provided no evidence which would lead us to believe the characterization of the service was contrary to the provisions of the governing regulation, unduly harsh, or disproportionate to the offenses committed. We considered upgrading the discharge based on clemency; however, we do not find the evidence presented is sufficient to recommend granting the relief sought on that basis. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis upon which to recommend granting the relief sought. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application. ________________________________________________________________ The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00811 in Executive Session on 29 November 2011, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603: The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2011-00811 was considered: Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 3 Mar 11, w/atch. Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records. Exhibit C. FBI Report. Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 27 Jul 11, w/atch. Exhibit E. Letter, Applicant, dated 9 Aug 11, w/atchs. Panel Chair