RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 

AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 

 

IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2012-02967 

 

 COUNSEL: NONE 

 

 HEARING DESIRED: NO 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 

 

His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded 
to honorable. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT: 

 

He would like to obtain a United States Coast Guard captain 
license for the great lakes and join the auxiliary unit. In his 
later years, when he moves to the Florida Keys, he wishes to 
obtain the sea and ocean endorsements. 

 

He has no police or drug record of any kind. Except for a few 
traffic violations, he has been a law abiding citizen. He owns 
his own home and has lived in it for over 11 years. He 
currently drives a school bus for the disabled and has been with 
the school district for almost five years. He is a member of 
the local American Legion chapter. He has also completed all 
the necessary training courses needed to take the Coast Guard 
Exam for a pilot/captain license with six-pack endorsement 
(inspected vessels, power sails). 

 

At the time of his enlistment he was too young, foolish and 
cocky to know what he signed up for. He has matured over the 
years. He has saved and paid off his house, cars, and boat, 
taken care of family, stayed out of trouble, and paid his taxes. 
He has become responsible and stable. He shows respect to his 
fellow man. 

 

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

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

STATEMENT OF FACTS: 

 

The applicant is a former member of the Regular Air Force who 
entered active duty on 16 March 1981. He served as an aerospace 
ground equipment mechanic. 

 


On 1 October 1981, the applicant was notified by his commander 
that he was recommending him for discharge from the Air Force 
under the provisions of AFM 39-12, Chapter 2; section A, 
paragraph 2-4c. The specific reason for the proposed action 
was; apathy and defective attitude for his grade and his 
demonstrated inability to expend effort constructively, as 
illustrated by documented failures to properly discharge 
assignments commensurate with his grade and experience as well 
as his repeated failures to maintain Air Force standards. 

 

On 1 October 1981, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the 
notification of discharge and his right to submit a rebuttal and 
make statements on his own behalf. On 7 October 1981 the 
applicant consulted with counsel and opted to submit a statement 
on his own behalf. 

 

Subsequent to the file being found legally sufficient, the 
discharge authority approved the recommendation for 
administrative discharge and directed the applicant be 
discharged with a general (under honorable conditions) 
characterization of service. The applicant was released from 
active duty on 20 October 1981 and was credited with 7 months 
and 5 days of active duty service. 

 

Pursuant to the Board's request, the FBI was unable to identify 
an arrest record on the basis of information furnished. 

 

On 17 December 2012, the applicant was given an opportunity to 
submit comments regarding his post service activities 
(Exhibit C). To date, this office has not received a response. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

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. After a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the 
applicant's discharge, we find no impropriety in the 
characterization of service. Considered alone, we conclude the 
discharge proceedings were proper and characterization of the 
discharge was appropriate to the existing circumstances. 
Consideration of this Board, however, is not limited to the 
events that precipitated the discharge. Further, we may base 
our decision on matters of equity and justice, rather than 
simply on whether rules and regulations, which existed at the 
time, were followed. It appears that the applicant has led a 
stable and productive life and there is no evidence that he has 
had any subsequent serious involvement of a derogatory nature 


since his separation from the Air Force, considering the fact 
that his FBI report indicates no adverse information over the 
past 30 years. We understand the applicant would like to obtain 
a United States Coast Guard captain license and recognize the 
adverse impact of the discharge would have on his application. 
While his discharge characterization may have been appropriate 
at the time, we believe it would be an injustice for him to 
continue to suffer its effects, therefore, we believe that 
corrective action is appropriate on the basis of clemency. 
Accordingly, we recommend that his records be corrected to the 
extent indicated below. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT: 

 

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air 
Force relating to APPLICANT be corrected to show that on 
20 October 1981, he was discharged with service characterized as 
Honorable and furnished an Honorable Discharge certificate. 

 

________________________________________________________________ 

 

The following members of the Board considered this application 
in Executive Session on 5 March 2013, under the provisions of 
AFI 36-2603: 

 

 , Panel Chair 

 , Member 

 , Member 

 

The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2012-02967 was considered: 

 

 Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 18 June 2012, w/atchs. 

 Exhibit B. Applicant’s Master Personnel Records. 

 Exhibit C. Letter, AFBCMR, dated 17 December 2012 

 

 

 

 

 

 Panel Chair 




AFBCMR BC-2012-02967 

 

 

 

 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF 

 

 Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for 
Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States 
Code it is directed that: 

 

 The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to be corrected 
to show that on 20 October 1981, he was discharged with service characterized as Honorable and 
furnished an Honorable Discharge certificate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Director 

 Air Force Review Boards Agency