AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD 

-- 

I  GRADE 

1  NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER (LAST, FIRST M1DDI.E INITIAL) 
................................... 
................................... 
TYPE  UoTH 

PERSONAL APPEARANCE 

COWSEL 

NAME O F  COUNSEL AND OH OHCANIZATION 

YES 

NO 
X 

ISSUES  A93.11 

I  INDEX NLlhl8EH 

A93.11 

HEARING DA'I'E 

CASE NUMBER 

SCT 

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:-..-....-..-....-.--m 

RECORD REVIEW 

X 
.ADDRESS AND OR ORGANIZATION O F  COIINSEI, 

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EXHIBITS SUBMITTED T 

1  I  OKUEK API'OINTING  THE  ROARD 
2  1  APP1,ICATIUN  FUR  REVIEW OF DISC1 IARGE 
1  3  1  LETTER OF N0'l'lFIC:A'I'ION 
4  1  BRIEF OF I'EKSONNEI.  F1L.E 

CUUNSEI,'S  RELEASE TO THE BOARD 
ADDITIONAI,  EXHIHI'I'S SUHMl'ffEIl AT TIME OF 
PERSONAL MPEAKANCE 
I  TAPE RECORDING OF PERSONAI. API'EARANCE 

1 

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01 Jun 2006 
AYPLICAKT'S ISSLT AND THE BOARD'S  DECISIONAL  RATIONM  ARE  DISCUSSED OK THE ATTACHED AIK  FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW  BOARD DECISIONAL  KATIONAJ-t 

FD-2005-00429 

I 

I 

I 

Case heard at Washington, D.C. 

Advise applicant of the decision of the Board, the right to a personal appearance withlwithout counsel, and the right to 
submit an application to the AFBCMR 

Names and votes will  be  nlade available to thc applicant at the applicant's  request. 

7-n 

, ". 

" 

--.. 

SAFIMKBR 
550 C STREET WEST,  SUITE 40 
RANDOLPH AFB, TX 781 50-4742 

-. 

INDORSEMENT 

/  FROM. 

DATE: 6qI2006 

" 

"  -". 

SECRETARY OF'I'HE  AIR FORCE PERSONNEI. COUNCII, 
AIR FORCE  DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD 
1535 COMMAND DR.  EE WING. 3RD FI,OOR 
ANDREWS AFB, MD 20762-7082 

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, JAN 00 

(EF-V2) 

Previous cdition  will be  used 

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE 

CASE NUMBER 

FD-2005-00429 

GENERAL:  Thc applicant appeals for upgrade of discharge to honorable. 

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

No additional exhibits or issues were submitted lor review by the DRB 

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

FINDINGS:  llpgrade of discharge is denied. 

The Board  finds the  applicant  submitted  no  issues  contesting the  equity or propriety  of the  discharge, and 
after a thorough review of the record, the Board  was  unable to  identify  any  that  would justify  a changc  of 
discharge. 

ISSUE:  The  applicant  acknowledged  Lhe  "mistake"  he  inade  that  led  to  his  discharge. 
Ile  also 
acknowledged  that  he  madc  "some  bad  financial  choices"  while  at  a young  age.  'I'he  applicant received  a 
IJO'I'~1 discharge in lieu of a trial by court-martial  on  19 March  1992.  The applicant's  offenses consisted of 
nuinerous  violations  of  Article  123a, Uniform  Code  oS Military  Justice,  in  that  he  uttered  multiple  bad 
checks for  the  procurement  merchandise  andlor  lawful  currency  from the  base  exchange, commissary, the 
LJnion  Square  Federal  Crcdit  Union,  the  Sheppard  AFB  Bank,  and  other  agencies  within  his  basc 
community.  An  OSI report  reflects the applicant admitted  "floating"  checks totaling  in  excess of $68,000 
over  a 48-month  period  (from  between  April  1987 and  August  1991) with  insufficient  funds to  cover the 
checks in  his  bank  account at a given  time.  In response to the discharge action the applicant wrote  that he 
"did not intend to defraud AAFES in any way,"  citing he had "too many expenses at home"  and only wanted 
to  havc enough money to  "cover  [him 1  until  pay  day."  The applicant reported that  he had  no  gambling or 
drug problems  as possible  factors in his check writing  behavior.  'l'he  DfiS acknowledged the death of the 
applicant's  mother  in  September  1989.  IIowcver,  absent  medical  or  other  supporting  evidence, thc  DRB 
found no  causal  or mitigating  relationship between  [he death of the  applicant's  mother  and  his  subsequent 
chcck  writing  behavior.  Additionally,  the  DRB  believed  that  had  the  applicant  received  timely  financial 
counseling,  the lenb.thy  course of his check writing  behavior  may  have  been interrupted or corrected  much 
earlier.  Nonethelcss,  the  clandestine  nature  of  the  applicant's  bchavior  deprived  his  supervisors  of  thc 
knowledge  and  awareness  of  his  self-reported  financial  difficulties  resulting  in  the  delay  in  directing 
financial  counseling.  The  DRB  was  pleased  to  see that  since the  applicant's  discharge  he  is  reportedly 
"financially s o u n d  and a "successful  business  owncr." 
J lowcver, based  upoil  all  currently available facts 
and evidence in the applicant's  case, the DRB found no compelling basis upon which to justify  a change in 
characterization of his military service. 

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 thc 
discharge authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 

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

Attachment: 
Examiner's Brief 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR  FORCE 

AIR  FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD 

ANDREWS AFB, MD 

(Former SGT)  (HGH SGT) 

1.  MATTER  UNDER REVIEW:  Appl recld a UOTH Disch fr USAF Sheppard AFB, TX on 17 
Mar 92 UP AFR 39-10, Chapter 4 (Discharge in Lieu of Court Martial).  Appeals for 
Honorable Discharge. 

2.  BACKGROUND: 

a. DOB: 23 Sep 67. Enlmt Age: 17 10/12.  Disch Age: 24 5/12. Educ: HS DIPL. 

AFQT: N/A.  A-72,  E-50,  0-53, M-72. PAFSC: 55550 -  Production Control 
Specialist. DAS: 30 May 86. 

b.  Prior Sv: (1) AFRes 22 Aug 85 -  23 Feb 86  (6 months 2 days) (~nactive). 

( 2 )   Enlisted as AB 24 Feb 86 for 4 yrs.  Extended 26 Oct 89 

for 23 months.  Svd: 5 yrs 4 months 3 days, all AMS.  AMN- (APR Indicates) :  24 Feb 
86-23 Feb 87.  AlC-(APR Indicates): 24 Feb 87-25 Nov 87.  SrA -  24 Feb 89.  S g t   - 
24 Feb 89.  APRs: 9,9,8. E P R s :   3,3,3, 

ART 15: 1 Feb 89, Sheppard AFB, TX -  Article 107.  You, did, on or 

---------. 
about 23 Jan 89, with intent to deceive, make to MSgt : .--------. 
an official statement, to wit: that you had a dental clinic 
appointment, which statement was tot,ally false, and was then 
known by you to be so false.  Suspended reduction to Airman. 
Suspended forfeiture of $50.00 pay.  Suspended 7 days 
correctional custody.  (No appeal) (No mitigation) 

3 .   SERVICE UNDER REVIEW: 

a.  Reenlisted as Sgt 28 Jun 91 for 4 yrs. Svd: 00 Yrs 08 Mo 19 Das, all 

AMS . 

b.  Grade Status:  None. 

c.  Time Lost:  None. 

d.  Art 15's:  None. 

e.  Additional: None. 

E .   CM:  None. 

g.  Record of SV: None. 

h.  Awards &  Decs:  AFOUA W/1 OLC, NDSM, AFLSAR, NCOPMER, AFTR. 

i.  Stmt of Sv:  TMS: (06) Yrs  (06) Mos  (27) Das 

4 .   BASIS ADVANCED FOR REVIEW:  Appln  (DD Fm 293) dtd 04 Nov 05. 

(Change Discharge to Honorable) 

Issue 1:  I know I made a mistake that lead  (sic) to my early separation 
(sic), I would like to think that the six proud years I served in the US Air 
Force was for not.  I was young and made some bad financial choices that lead 
(sic) to my early release and now thirteen and a half years Later I am 
financiallly sound, a successful business owner and am trying to clear up past 
mistakes.  Please take into consideration my honorable discharge from 1986 to 
1990, this UOTH Discharge was placed in 1992.  Thank you! 

ATCH 
None. 

HEAWUARTSWI SHLPCARD TECHNICAL mAININO C L H n R  (A=) 

SHEPPARD AIR  m

E

 BAdC TX  765 1 1-11 ZP 

FD2005-00429 

REPLY M 
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(capt C-..-.. 

JAM 
Review  o f  Request  f o r   Discharge  i n  Lieu  o f  T r i a l   by  Court-Martial:  Sgt 
------------------ ....................... 

---------- ; 3750  CES 

l e w R  

: . . - . - . . - . . - . - . . - . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - a  

3750  S  TG/CC 
cc  483 
IN T U R ~  

................................ 

i  has  submitted  a  l e t t e r  dated  11  Feb  92  t o  t h e  
1.  5%  ............................... 
Commander,  3750th  C i v i l   Engineering Squadron,  requesting  discharge  I n  l i e u   of 
!  on  22  Jan 
t r i a l   by  court-martial.  Charges  were  p r e f e r r e d   against  SgtF------------------. 
92.  The  charges  have  n o t  y-et-.beeq  r e f e r r e d  t o  t r i a l .   The  charge  and  s i x  
specifications  a g a i n s t   Sgt  - - - - - - - - - a  
123a.  Uniform Code  o f  M i l i t a r y   Justice, 
Exchange, 
Square  Federal  C r e d i t   Union  and  Sheppard  Bank over  a  p e r i o d   from  1 Mar  91  t o  
26  Sep  91. 

: c o n s i s t   o f  numerous  v i o l a t i o n s   o f  A r t i c l e  
: wrote  bad  checks 
t h e   MUR  Fund,  and  t h e   SAT@-biimXtt'ounts from  Union 

i n  t h a t   Sgt i---------' 

t h e   Commissary, 

.------------------------- 

, - - - - - - - - - - , 

i n  a  l e t t e r  dated  26  Feb  92, 

: i s  n o t   authorized  lengthy  service  consideration. 

: has  consulted  h i s   counsel,  Capt  1 ........................  ;.  He  has 

He contends  a  simple  A r t i c l e   15  o r  dlscharge  would  s e r i o u s l y  

2.  Sgt1.-..-.-..- 
acknowledged  understanding  t h e   elements  o f   t h e   offenses  charged.  He  has  a1 s o  
acknowledged  the  possi b i  1 i t y  o f   r e c e i  v l  ng  an  Under  Other  Than  Honora b l  e 
Conditions  (UOTHC)  discharge  and  t h e   adverse  e f f e c t s   o f  such  a  discharge,  Sgt 
C ---------- l 
3.  Col  Black, 
recommends  t h a t   the  request  f o r  
discharge  i n  l i e u  o f   t r i a l   by  court-martial  be  dfsapproved.  He  s t a t e s   t h a t  
the  magnitude,  d u r a t i o n   and  i n t e n t   of  t h e   offense warrants  severe  d i s c i p l i n a r y  
action. 
undermine  good  o r d e r   and  d i s c i p l i n e   i n  t h e   squadron,---He-further  s t a t e s   t h a t  
i f  t h e   discharge  i s  apptyyeddh-e, recommends  t h a t   Sgt i 
!be  furnished  w i t h  
: 1 e t t e r   f u r t h e r   i n c l  i a F i - 7 i i f 6 r m a t i o n   concerning 
a  UOTHC  discharge.  Col : 
Sgt  Sal azar's  mi 1 i t a r y   kF6f;6-5-i  accordance  wl t h  AFR  39-10,  para  6- 1. 
4.  Sgt  ------------ 
: i s   24  years  o f  age,  he  i s  married and  has  been  on  a c t i v e   duty 
since  2 § - ~ 6 ~ - 8 6 ;  His  c u r r e n t   enlistment  began  on  28  Jun  91,  He  i s  e n t i t l e d  
t o  wear  t h e   A i r   Force  Outstanding  U n i t   Award, 
Medal, 
Medal, 
T r a i n i n g   Ribbon.  Sgt  Salazar  has  received  3  EPRs  and  3  APRs. 
ratings- on  t h e   EPRs  are  3,  3,  and  3.  The  o v e r a l l   r a t i n g s   on  t h e   APRs  are  8, 
9,  and  9. 
There  i s  a d d i t i o n a l   derogatory  data  i n  Sgt  1 - - - - - - - - - - - - a  
A r t i c l e   15  f o r   v i o l a t i o n   of  A r t i c l e   107,  UCMJ,  False  O f f i c i a l   Statement,  dated 
1 Feb  89. 

t h e   A i r   Force  NCO  PME  Graduate  Ribbon, 
t h e   A i r   Force  Longevity  Service  Award  Ribbon,  and  t h e   A i r   Force 

t h e   Natlonal  Defense  Service 
The  o v e r a l l  

These  r a t i n g s  were  l i s t e d   from  t,k.rnos.t.spcent 

t o  t h e   e a r l i e s t ,  
: f i l e  c o n s i s t l n g   o f   an 

t h e   A i r   Force  Good  Canduct 

1 - - - - - - - - - - -  

r i g h t  t o  an  A r t i c l e   32 

cooperated  i n  every  aspect  o f  

s i t u a t i o n ;   t h a t  money  seemed  t o  

I n  support  of  Sgt i ..-..-.-..-.- 

-------------- 
i n c l u d e d   a  l e t t e r   dated  11  Feb  92. 

i request  f o r   discharge,  c a p t i   --------;-. 

'  h i s  
~ a p t - l - - - - - - - - - _  

----------- 

t h a t  w h i l e   Sgt : ---------- 

:had  several  l a r g e   deposits  made  t o  h i s  

: f u r t h e r   s t a t e s   t h a t   Sgt  :..-....-..-.-;problems 

: has  kept  h i s   agreement  w i t h   AAFES  ~n%ii--?~bayment  schedule, 

f i n a n c i a l   records,  and  waived  h i s  .-------------. 

: s t a t e s  
: discharge  i n  1 ieu--of -go-uyt-martial  should  be  accepted  i n  

f u r t h e r   s t a t e s   t h a t   although  S g t  
: i s  charged  w i t h   a  l a r g e   number  o f  cheaks-w-ithin t h e   6  specifications, 

5. 
defense  qp-un&e]-,-hps 
t h a t   Sgt 1 ------------- 
t h e   i n t e r e s t   o f  j u s t i c e   because  Sgt l.,....,..lhas 
t h e   OS14s i n v e s t i g a t i o n   i n t o  these  offenses.  He  gave  statements,  slgned  a 
release  so  t h a t   t h e  OSI  would  gain  e a s i e r   access  t o  h l s   f i n a n c i a l   records, 
explained  h i s  Captr---------- 
s t a r t e d   when 
hearing. 
he  got  behind  Tn-nl~-?ibuse  payments  and  t h a t   h i s   s i t u a t i o n   contlnued  downhill 
from  there; 
accounts,  he  had  no  c o n t r o l   ~ve;~hpp:-fi?"$,ial 
s l  i p  r i g h t   through  h i s   hands. 
C -. . -. -. .,I 
----------. 
,.... -..-.-  checks  have  been  redeemed.  Capt : 
: f u r t h e r   s t a t e s   t h a t   Sgt 
h i l l - - T f - t h e  
t h a t   he 
he  can  overcome  t h i s   and  again 
i s  s o r r y   f o r   h i s   conduct  and  t h a t   he  believes 
: f u r t h e r   states  t h a t   Sgt 
become  a  trusted,  p r o d u c t i v e   c i  tizen. 
----------- 
L -  --- -- --- - a  
t h a t   he 
understands  t h e   seriousness  o f  t h e   offenses,  and  t h a t   he  asks  t h a t   you  t a k e  
h i s   f a m i l y   i n t o  account,  He  f u r t h e r   s t a t e s   t h a t   even  a  discharge  i n  l i e u   of 
court-martial  would  have  a--sgr-ous  e f f e c t   on  h i s   a b l l  i t y  t o  f i n d  yg~k--and- 
support  h i s   family. 
wrote  these  bad  checks  was  so  t h a t   h i s  family  could  make  it between  paydays, 
t h a t  a  p u n i t i v e   discharge  i s  n o t   an  a p p r o p r i a t e   badge  o f  dishonor  f o r   him  t o  
c a r r y   f o r   t h e   r e s t   o f  h i s   l i f e ,   and  t h a t   t h e   l f k e l y  c i v i l i a n  crlrninal  c o u r t  
----------  p r o b a t i o n   and  community  service. 
sent$p&g-yg-yld  be  an  o r d e r   o f  r e s t i t u t i o n ,  
Capt : 
: does  n o t   deserve  your  contlnued 
trust'-3s-T-tiiember  o f  t h e   United  States  A i r   Force  and  t h a t   he  has  f o r f e i t e d   h i s  
r i g h t   t o  wear  t h e   uniform,  b u t   he  urges  t h a t  you  show  leniency,  t h a t   yau 
accept  t h e   Chapter  4,  s i n c e   Sgt im--------' 
discharge. 

: i s   the  primary  support  f o r   h i s  w i f e  -iiiid-Vykar-old  daughter, 

--------_- :goes  on  t o   s t a t e   t h e   reason  Sgt  ------- 

i acknowledges  t h a t  .Sgt I 

Capt  ----------- 

Capt 

L - - - - - - - - - , 

: i s  w i

l

l  i n g  t o  accept  a  UO'THC 

The  f a c t   t h a t   t h i s   i n d i v i d u a l  

The  procedures  i n v o l v e d  and  t h e   basis  f o r   t h i s   separation  a c t i o n   a r e   i n  

6. 
compliance  w i t h   a p p l i c a b l e   laws  and  d i r e c t i v e s .  
i s  t r i a b l e   by  c o u r t - m a r t i a l   t h a t   could  adjudge  a  pun1 ti ve  discharge  r e f l e c t s  
t h e   serious  n a t u r e   o f   t h l s  misconduct.  Usually,  airmen  discharged  under  t h i s  
chapter  of  AFR  39-10  w i l l   have  t h e i r   servSce  characterized  as  being  UOTHC. 
Subject  t o  t h e   inclussoi-0f.a  completed  r e p o r t   o f  physical  examination 
i n d i c a t i n g  t h a t   S g t  I------ 
case  f i l e  i s  complete  a n d - l e g a l l y  s u f f i c i e n t .  
7.  Sgt I---------- i has  shown  f o r   t h e   past  few  months  t h a t   he  can  l i v e  w i t h i n   h i s  
means  and  he  has  made  r e s t i t u t i o n  f o r   h i s   offenses. 
earned  some  c o n s i d e r a t i o n   toward  leniency.  Because  he  i s  t h e   s o l e   support  f o r  
h i s   family,  i t  would  be  appropriate  t o  show  him  such  leniency  a s   would  enable 
him  t o   go  o u t   and  seek  employment,  even  though--the nature  o f  a  UOTHC  w i
cause  him  some  t r o u b l e   i n  f i n d i n g   f u t u r e   employment.  I b e l i e v e   the  needs  o f  
j u s t i c e   w i
contrary  t o  t h e   recommendation  of  t h e   squadron  commander. 

l   be  served  by  t h e   approval  o f   a  UOTHC  discharge,  although  t h i s   i s  

:has  - been  m e d i c a l l y   c l e a r e d   f o r   separation,  t h e  

By  doing  so,  he  has 

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RECOMMENDATIONS: 

For  3750th  SPTG/CC: 
i n  accordance  w i t h   AFR  39-10,  para  4-4, 

may, 
regards  t o  t h i s   request: 

As  t h e   Special  Court-Martial  Convening  Author1 ty,  you 

t a k e   t h e   f o l l o w i n g   a c t i o n  w i t h  

a. 

Forward  t o  STC/CC  recominending  approval;  o r  

b.  Disapprove  t h e   request  and  r e t u r n   i t  t o  us  requesting  r e f e r r a l   of 

charges. 

I recommend  t h a t   you  forward  t h i s   request  t o  STC/CC  recommending  approval. 

For  STC/CC: 

As  t h e   General  Court-Martial  Convening  A u t h o r i t y ,   you  may, 

i n  
t a k e   t h e   f o l l o w i n g   a c t i o n   w i t h   regard  t o  

accordance  w i t h   AFR  39-10,  para  4-12, 
t h i s   request: 

a. 

Approve  the  request  f o r  discharge  and  d i r e c t   t h a t   Sgt: 

separated  with  a  UOTHC  discharge; 

I - - - - - - - - - - -  

! be 
--.-.-...... 
, - - - - - - - - - - . - - - - , 

b. 

Approve  t h e   request  f o r   discharge,  but  d i r e c t   t h a t   Sgt; ---------------: 

service  c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n   be  e i t h e r   honorabl e  o r   general  under  honorable 
conditions, 
reasons  be  given  why  the  s e r v i c e   c h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n   was  o t h e r   than  a  UOTHC 
discharge;  o r  

I f  t h i s   i s  t h e   case,  AFR  39-10,  para  4-12(a)(2), 

requires  t h a t  

c.  Disapprove  t h e   request  and  d i r e c t   t h a t   Sgt ! 

!be  c o u r t - m a r t i a l  ed, 

, - - - - - - - - - - - 
--.-.-..... 

a 

I reconanend  you  approve  thi~-t--~ug-~t  f o r  discharge  i n  1 i e u   o f  t r i a l   by  c o u r t -  
m a r t i a l   and  d i r e c t   t h a t   Sgt : 

! be  separated  w i t h   a  UOTHC  discharge. 

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