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AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-04408
Original file (BC-2011-04408.txt) Auto-classification: Denied
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-04408 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His undesirable discharge be upgraded to an honorable discharge. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He was charged with being a homosexual. However, being 
homosexual is no longer a reason to be discharged. He needs his 
discharge upgraded for veterans’ benefits. 

 

In support of his appeal, the applicant provides a copy of his DD 
Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge. 

 

The applicant’s complete submission, with attachment, is at 
Exhibit A. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

On 16 Feb 60, the applicant contracted his enlistment in the 
Regular Air Force. 

 

On 15 Apr 63, the applicant’s commander notified him that he was 
recommending his discharge from the Air Force as a Class II 
homosexual. The specific reason for the discharge action was on 
or about 28 Mar 63, he engaged in homosexual acts with other 
service members. 

 

His commander advised him of his rights in this matter. On 
15 Apr 63, after consulting with legal counsel, the applicant 
waived his right to a board hearing. 

In the recommendation for discharge dated 23 Apr 63, the 
applicant’s commander recommended he be furnished a general 
discharge based on his exemplary service. 

 

On 15 May 63, the discharge authority directed the applicant be 
furnished an undesirable discharge. On 22 May 63, he was 
furnished an under other than honorable conditions (UOTHC) 


discharge and was credited with three years, three months, and 
seven days of total active service. 

 

On 20 Sep 11, the law commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 
(DADT), 10 USC 654 was repealed. The Department of Defense 
subsequently issued guidance indicating that Service Discharge 
Review Boards (DRB) should normally grant requests to change the 
narrative reason for a discharge, requests to re-characterize the 
discharge to honorable, and/or requests to change the reentry code 
when both of the following conditions were met: (1) the original 
discharge was based solely on DADT or a similar policy in place 
prior to enactment of DADT, and (2) there were no aggravating 
factors in the record, such as misconduct. 

 

Pursuant to the Board’s request, the Federal Bureau of 
Investigation (FBI) provided a copy of an Investigative Report, 
which is at Exhibit C. 

 

On 3 Apr 12, a copy of the FBI Investigative Report and a request 
was for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant 
for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D). As of this 
date no response has been received by this office. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

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 an error or injustice. The 
applicant contends that his discharge should be upgraded to 
honorable due to the repeal of the provisions of 10 USC 654, 
commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT). After a 
thorough review of the evidence of record and the applicant’s 
complete submission, we are not convinced he has been the victim 
of an error or injustice. In this respect, we note that while 
the repeal of DADT provides a basis for correcting the records of 
certain affected service members, specific criteria must 
generally be met: (1) the original discharge must have been based 
solely on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of 
DADT and (2) there must be no aggravating factors in the record, 
such as misconduct. The circumstances of the applicant’s 
discharge do not meet these criteria. The applicant was 
furnished an under other than honorable conditions (UOTHC) 
discharge due to substantiated misconduct on his part. 
Therefore, the repeal of DADT does not provide an adequate basis 
for us to recommend granting the requested relief. We also 
considered upgrading the applicant’s discharge on the basis of 
clemency; however, in the absence of any information related to 


the applicant’s activities since leaving the service, we find no 
basis to grant the requested relief on clemency. In view of the 
fact that his misconduct formed the basis of his UOTHC discharge, 
and in the absence of any evidence to that his commander abused 
his discretionary authority, he was denied rights to which he was 
entitled, or the discharge was not carried out in accordance with 
the provisions of the governing regulations, we find no basis to 
recommend granting the requested relief. 

 

_________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: 

 

The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not 
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the 
application was denied without a personal appearance; and 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-2011-04408 in Executive Session on 5 Jun 12, under the 
provisions of AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 8 Nov 11, w/atch. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Military Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. FBI Investigative Report. 

 Exhibit D. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 3 Apr 12, w/atchs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 

 



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