AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE 

CASE NUMBER 

FDO1-00070 

GENERAL:  The applicant appeals for a change of reason for discharge and change of reenlistment 
eligibility (RE) code. 

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB) but declined to 
exercise this right. 

The attached brief contains the available pertinent data on the applicant and the factors leading to the 
discharge. 

FINDINGS: Upgrade of discharge is denied. 

The board finds that neither evidence of record nor that provided by the applicant substantiates an inequity 
or impropriety, which would justify a change of discharge. 

The applicant’s issues are listed in the attached brief. 

Issues 1, 2 & 3 are similar in nature dealing with the other options that could have been considered, the 
member’s Enlisted Performance Report being a factor in his discharge and test anxiety being playing a part 
in the member’s unsatisfactory performance.  The Board reviewed the record and found that the member 
had done well on open book pre-tests and that he was given ample time both on duty and off duty to prepare 
for the test.  The commander exercised his prerogative in considering retraining and there was no indication 
in the record that the member’s performance report had any influence in his discharge.  These issues are 
without merit. 

Issue 4: The applicant contends that his immediate supervisor was a civilian who previously had 12 years 
of service with the Army.  He contends he had been in the Air Force longer than she had and therefore was 
not certified to train him properly.  The Board found just the contrary. The supervisor was a highly trained 
civilian who was attentive to the training needs of the applicant and went to great lengths to document the 
actions taken to insure areas that were missed on the pretest were covered and documented.  This issue is 
without merit. 

Issue 5: The member contends that other coworkers were given every opportunity to pass their CDC 
courses but he was not given the same consideration.  Again the Board found the opposite to be true. 
Although the progress of other Airman are not documented n the case before the Board, the member’s 
record indicated he was given absolutely every consideration and opportunity to prepare and pass his CDC 
course but failed to progress and was subsequently discharged. No inequity or impropriety in his discharge 
was suggested or found in the course of the records review.  The Board concluded that the character and 
reason for discharge were appropriate due to his failure to progress in his career field. 

The Board found no evidence of impropriety or inequity in this case upon which to base an upgrade of 
discharge. 

CONCLUSIONS: The Discharge Review Board concludes that the discharge was consistent with the 
procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the 
discharge authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 

In view of the foregoing findings the board hrther concludes that there exists no legal or equitable basis for 
upgrade of discharge, thus the applicant's discharge should not be changed. 

Attachment: 
Examiner's Brief 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD 

ANDREWS  AFB, MD 

E'D-01-00070 

(Former A1C) MISSING DOCUMENTS 

1.  MATTER UNDER REVIEW:  Appl rec'd  a HON Disch fr USAF 01/01/05 UP  AFI 36- 
3208, para 5.26.3  (Unsatisfactory Performance).  Appeals for a Change in Reason 
and Authority for Disch'and RE Code. 

2.  BACKGROUND: 

a. DOB: 80/10/28.  Enlmt Age:  17 9/12.  Disch Age:  20 2/12. Educ:HS DIPL. 

AFQT: N/A.  A-89,  E-49,  G-34,  M-26.  PAFSC: 3S031 -  Personnel Apprentice. 
DAS:  99/06/16. 

b.  Prior Sv: AFRes 98/08/12 -  99/02/23 ( 6  months 12 days)(Inactive). 

3.  SERVICE UNDER REVIEW: 

a.  Enld as AB 99/02/24 for 4 yrs.  Svd: 1 Yrs 10 Mo 12 Das, all AMs. 

b. 

Grade Status:  A1C -  00/06/24 
AMN  -  99/08/24 

C. 

Time Lost:  none. 

d. 

Art 15's:  none. 

e. 

Additional: EOC, 25 APR 00  - Course failure. 
EOC, 28 AUG 00 - Course failure. 

f. 

CM:  none. 

9. 

Record of SV:  99/02/24  00/10/23  Langley AFB 
(Discharged from Langley AFB) 

2  (1nitial)REF 

h. 

i. 

Awards &  Decs:  AFTR, AFOUA. 
Stmt of Sv:  TMS:  (2) Yrs  (4) Mos  (24) Das 
TAMS:  (1) Yrs  (10) Mos  (12) Das 

4 .   BASIS ADVANCED FOR  REVIEW:  Appln  (DD Fm 293) dtd 01/01/18. 

(Change Reason and Authority for Discharge and RE Code) 

Issue 1:  3  other options other than discharge; be retrained, waive all of 

CDC's;  and waive lSt set of CDC's. 

Issue 2:  Immediate supervisor submitted an EPR on myself, supervisor 
claims it was altered when sent up the chain of command, and the EPR was a 
factor in my discharge from the Air Force, and assignment of RE Code 2C, and 

mol-00070 

separation Code JHJ. 

Issue 3:  When I identified defeciency (sic) of my CDC's  (sic) as far as 

comprehension and test anxiety.  I had taken a study skills course 
voluntarily.  The class didn't help at all.  It was  (------)(sic) college 
course.  Nothing after that was ever addressed again.  I wanted to be tested 
for either  (------)(sic) and I couldn't be do to having to be referred which I 
never was. 

Issue 4:  One thing that might have played a role in this.  My immediate 

supervisor had been 12 yrs Civil Service with the Army.  I had been in the Air 
Force longer than she had.  How can I have a trainer that isn't  certified or 
able to train me properly! 

Issue 5:  My coworker was given every opportunity given to him and he 
passed his CDC's  but I wasn't  given every opportunity and I failed and was 
discharged. 

ATCH 
1. Congressional Letter, 19 Jan 01. 
2. Letter to Congress. 
3. DD Form 214. 
4. Notification Memorandum. 
5. Enlisted Performance Report. 
6. Written Response to Referral Enlisted Performance Report. 
7. Memo for Record, 26 Sep 00. 
8. AF Form 623a. 
9.  Email, Letter of Appreciation. 
10. Email, Decoration R I P .  
11. Email, Customer Service. 
12. Email, Updated AFEM. 
13. End of Course Results. 
14. Memorandum For 1 MSS/CC, 17 May 00. 
15. Memorandum For 1 MSS/Unit Education and Training Manager, 17 May 00. 
16. CDC Failure Assessment Worksheet, 15 May 00. 
17. End of Course Exam. 
18. Report of Course Exam. 
19. AF Form 623a. 
20.  Personnel Data. 
21.  Statement of Understanding. 
22. Receipt of Notification Memorandum. 
23. Memorandum for 1 MSS/DPMRS, 4 Jan 01. 
24.  Copy of Discharge Correspondence. 

01/03/08/ia 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS IST FIGHTER WING 

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE VA 

MEMORANDUM FOR 1 FW/CC 

FROM:  lFW/JA 

SUBJECT:  Administrative Discharge - 

1.  I have  reviewed  the  proposed  discharge  action case file and  find  it  legally  sufficient to 
support a decision to separate respondent with an honorable discharge, as soon as he is found 
medically fit for separation. 

2.  Backwound: 

a.  Respondent is a 20-year-old Evaluations and Decorations Journeyman assigned to the 
1st Mission Support Squadron (1 MSS).  His TAFMSD is 24 Feb 99 and he began his 4-year 
enlistment on 24 Feb 99. He was assigned to his present unit on  16 Jun 99.  Respondent has 
never received an enlisted performance report. 

b.  On  4  Dec  00,  1  MSS/CC  properly  notified  respondent  of  her  recommendation  to 
separate respondent under  the  provisions of  AFI  36-3208,  Chapter  5,  Section E,  paragraph 
5.26.3  for  failure  to  progress  in  on-the-job  training  with  an  honorable  discharge.  The 
respondent  was  notified  of  additional material which  would  be  forwarded to the  discharge 
authority on  15 Dec 00.  Because respondent is not entitled to a board hearing, this case has 
been properly pursued via the notification procedures of AFI 36-3208, Chapter 6, Section B. 

3.  Evidence for the Government: 

a.  On or about 25  Apr  00,  respondent  scored 36% on the  Career Development Course 
(CDC) end-of-course exam.  The minimum passing score is 65%. This was respondent’s first 
failure.  The unit  commander counseled  the  respondent after this failure and  instituted  “in- 
house” training during duty hours to help improve the respondent’s knowledge of the material. 
The respondent also attended a study skills course to address test anxiety issues he raised after 
the  first  test.  The  commander  also  recommended  that  the  respondent  curtail  his  “extra- 
curricular activities” such as intramural sports to allow him to spend more than  one to two 
hours  per  day  preparing  for  the  second  test.  The  commander  specifically  addressed  the 
consequences of a second test failure during the counseling following the first failure. 

b.  On or about 28 Aug 00, respondent scored  50% on the Career Development Course 
The  minimum  passing  score  is  65%.  This  was  respondent’s second 

end-of-course  exam. 
failure. 

4.  Evidence for the Respondent:  Respondent was properly notified of his right to counsel 
and  to  submit  statements on  his  behalf  for  your  consideration.  Respondent consulted with 

military legal counsel and on  18 Dec 00 submitted a written response package.  He detailed 
several achievements during his two years of service and cited three issues that detracted from 
his performance: reading problems, trainer experience, financial problems.  He cited test results 
showing an 8*  grade reading level.  He attended.a study skills course, but maintains that it did 
not help him.  He also contends that his supervisor’s limited Air Force experience hampered his 
training.  Finally, he claims that his financial problems distracted him from concentrating on his 
CDCs. 

- 
5.  Discussioq - 

a. A  basis for discharge exists.  AFI  36-3208,  paragraph  5.26.3  states that  failure to 
progress in on the job training is grounds for discharge.  Despite substantial unit  involvement, 
the respondent failed to achieve a 65% on his required training program.  The second failure 
constitutes a basis for discharge. 

b.  The respondent should be discharged under that provision.  Respondent received 
several types of assistance including financial counseling, study skills courses, an on-duty study 
program.  Despite that  concentrated effort, the respondent only achieved a 50% on the second 
test.  Whether that failure was the result of lack  of effort or the simple inability to  grasp the 
material, it seems clear that the respondent is unable to master this phase of his  professional 
training.  Although he is a he1pfi.d  and personable customer service technician, his inability to 
master this training makes him unsuitable to assume the greater responsibilities that would come 
with continued service.  The respondent’s supervisor and respondent’s counsel raise some issues 
about the strength of the respondent’s duty performance.  However, despite what  appear to be 
good skills at this level, he is unwilling or unable to master the skills that will be expected of him 
in future positions. 

c.  The respondent should be given an honorable discharge.  Based on respondent’s 
overall performance, 1 MSS/CC recommends an honorable discharge.  Although the commander 
has  serious doubts about the  level  of effort the respondent  directed to his  CDCs, he  has  not 
committed any serious misconduct.  His inability to pass the  CDC tests does not diminish the 
other positive aspects of his service. 

d.  Probation  and  Rehabilitation  is  not  appropriate  in  this  case.  Respondent’s 
continued inability to meet military standards, despite the unit’s  efforts, demonstrates his poor 
rehabilitative potential.  I do not recommend probation and rehabilitation in conjunction with this 
discharge. 

6.  Errors and Irregularities: I note no errors or irregularities prejudicial to respondent’s 
substantive or procedural rights. 

7.  Options: As separation authority in this case, you may: 

a.  Direct retention, if you determine the evidence does not warrant discharge; or, 

b.  Direct respondent's  separation with  an honorable discharge, with  or without probation 

and rehabilitation; or, 

c.  Direct respondent's separation with an under honorable conditions (general) discharge, 

with or without probation and rehabilitation. 

8.  Recommendation:  Sign the attached memorandum directing the respondent's  separation 
with an honorable discharge, without probation and rehabilitation. 

I concur. 

Attachments: 
1.  Proposed Letter 
2.  CaseFile 

. .  

i 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

HEADQUARTERS I S T  FIGHTER WING 

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE VA 

MEMORANDUM F 

FROM:  1 MSS/CC 

SUBJECT:  Notification Memorandum 

1.  I am recommending your discharge from the United States Air Force for failure to progress 
in on-the-job training.  The authority for this action is AFPD 36-32 and AFI 36-3208, Chapter 
5, Section E, Paragraph 5.26.3.  If your discharge is approved, your service will be 
characterized as honorable or under honorable conditions (general).  I am recommending that 
your service be characterized as honorable. 

2. My reasons for this action are: 

a.  On or about 25 Apr 00, you scored 36% on the Career Development Course end-of- 

course exam.  The minimum passing score is 65%. This was your first failure.  The unit 
developed an extensive daily training program to assist you in preparing for the second test. 

b.  On or about 28 Aug 00, you scored 50% on the Career Development Course end-of- 

course exam.  The minimum passing score is 65%. This was your second failure. 

3.  Copies of the documents to support this recommendation are attached and will be forwarded 
to the separation authority.  The separation authority will make the findings and 
recommendations required under 10 U.S.C.  2005(g) regarding recoupment of education 
assistance funds, if applicable.  The commander exercising special court-martial jurisdiction or 
a higher authority will decide whether you will be discharged or retained in the Air Force and, if 
you are discharged, how your service will be characterized.  If you are discharged, you will be 
ineligible for reenlistment in the Air Force and any special pay, bonus, or education assistance 
funds may be subject to recoupment. 

4.  You have the right to consult counsel.  Military legal 
you.  I have made an appointment for you to consult Capt 
Defense Counsel, 54 Willow Street, Bldg. 147, Ext. 5607 a 
You may consult civilian counsel at your own expense. 

000. 

5.  You have the right to submit statements in your own behalf.  Any statements you want the 
2000 
separation authority to consider must reach me by  I’)vV 
unless you request and receive an extension for good cause shown.  I will send them to the 
separation authority. 

hours on  1 D e C, 

6.  If you fail to consult counsel or to submit statements in your own behalf, your failure will 
constitute a waiver of your right to do so. 

7.  You have been scheduled for a medical examination.  You must report to the 1 st Medical 
Group, Physical Exam Section at  /YO  0  hours on  5 b  ty 
additional examination will be scheduled if necessary. 

2000 and an 

8.  Any personal information you hrnish in rebuttal is covered by the Privacy Act of 1974.  A 
copy of AFI 36-3208 is available for your use in the unit orderly room. 

9.  Execute the attached acknowledgment and return it to me immediately. 

Attachments : 
1.  Supporting Documents 

a.  Report of Course Examination dated 25 Apr 00 
b.  Review and Assessment Worksheets 
c.  Report'af Course Examination dated 28 Aug 00 
d.  Review and Assessment Worksheets 
e.  AF Form 623a and On - the - Job Training Records 

2.  Receipt of Notification Memorandum 

. 

. ,  . 

, _-.