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AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 04382
Original file (BC 2013 04382.txt) Auto-classification: Approved


RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS


IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2013-04382
		COUNSEL:  NONE
		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

________________________________________________________________
_

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His service in the Air Force was honorable.  He is seeking 
employment on Government facilities.  Prior career opportunities 
have been biased.

In support of the applicant’s appeal, he provides a copy of his 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty.

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

________________________________________________________________
_

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force on 11 December 
1986.

The applicant was notified by his commander of his intent to 
recommend his discharge from the Air Force under the provisions 
of AFR 39-10 (Homosexuality).  Specifically, on or about 1 March 
1991 and 21 June 1993, the applicant did at various locations 
engage in an ongoing homosexual relationship and did engage in 
homosexual activity.  The applicant was advised of his rights in 
the matter.

In a legal review of the case file, the staff judge advocate 
found the case legally sufficient.  The staff judge advocate 
stated that on 22 October 1993, the applicant unconditionally 
waived his right to an administrative discharge board and 
requested a general discharge.  The staff judge advocate 
recommended the applicant’s unconditional waiver be acted upon 
and recommended discharge.  The discharge authority concurred 
with the recommendation and directed a general (under honorable 
conditions) discharge.  The applicant was discharged on 
1 November 1993.  He served 6 years, 10 months, and 21 days on 
active duty.

On 20 September 2011, 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Don't Tell” (DADT), 10 USC 654, was repealed.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 (ORB) 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.

________________________________________________________________
_

AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPSOR recommends approval to change the applicant’s 
character of service to honorable, the narrative reason for 
separation to “Secretarial Authority” and SPD code to “JFF.”  
The approval is based on the Under Secretary of Defense issued 
guidance pertaining to correction of military records requests 
resulting from the repeal of Title 10, Section 654, commonly 
known as “Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)”.  

Although the discharge was properly processed according to the 
applicable regulation, the applicant's discharge record 
indicates discharge was based solely on DADT and did not involve 
aggravating factors.  The absence of aggravating factors is also 
indicated by the applicant's general service characterization.

The DPSOR complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

AFPC/DPSOA recommends the applicant’s RE code be changed to 
“1J.”  DPSOA states the DADT guidance states requests to change 
the RE code to 1J should be granted for members separated under 
DADT or similar policy that did not involve aggravating factors.  
A thorough search of the applicant's record did not reveal any 
aggravating factors.

The DPSOA complete evaluation is at Exhibit D.

________________________________________________________________
_








APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

On 25 April 2014, copies of the Air Force evaluations were 
forwarded to the applicant for review and response within 
30 days (Exhibit E).  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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to 
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  In light of 
the repeal of DADT and the applicant's record of performance, it 
would be appropriate to change the characterization of service, 
RE code, narrative reason for separation and corresponding 
separation program designator(SPD) code.  In a memorandum, dated 
20 September 2011, the Under Secretary of Defense published 
guidance that Service Discharge Review Boards should normally 
grant requests to change the narrative reason for separation, 
corresponding SPD code, upgrade the service characterization, 
and change the RE code when both of the following conditions are 
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.  
Based on our review of the evidence of record, the applicant's 
discharge meets these requirements.  Therefore, we recommend the 
applicant's record be corrected as 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 1 
November 1993, he was honorably discharged with a narrative 
reason for separation of “Secretarial Authority,” a separation 
program designator code of “JFF,” and a reentry (RE) code of 
“lJ.”

________________________________________________________________







The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket 
Number BC-2013-04382 in Executive Session on 3 June 2014, under 
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

All members voted to correct the records as recommended.  The 
following documentary evidence was considered:

   Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 10 September 2013, w/atch.
   Exhibit B.  DD Form 214 and Discharge Package.
   Exhibit C.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 4 December 2013.
   Exhibit D.  Letter, AFPC/DPSOA, dated 17 January 2014.
   Exhibit E.  Letter, SAF/MRBR dated 25 April 2014.





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