NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER (LAST, FIRST MIDD1,E INITIAL) 

1  GRADE 

AFSNISSAN 

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD 

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MEMBER SITTING 

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A93.07 

INDEX  YI'WREK 

A67.10 

I HEARING D A I E  

EXHIBITS SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD 

ORDER API'OINTING  THE BOARD 
APPI.ICATION  FOK  REVIEW OF DISCHARGE 
I,ETTER OF NO'I'IPICATION 
BRIEF OF PERSONNEL F1I.B 
COUNSEL'S  RELEASE TO '1.1  1E BOARD 
ADDITIONAL EX1 IIBITS SUBMl'171'ED AT TIME OF 
PERSONAL APPEARANCE 

'I'APE RECORIIINC;  OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE HE 

I 
2 
3 
4 

1 

I 

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 made available to the applicant at the applicant's request. 

550 C U " E T   WEST, SUITE 40 
UNIIOLPH AFB, TX 781 50-4742 

I 

I 

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, JAN 00 

SECREI-ARY OF TAR AIR FORCE PERSONNEL COUNCII, 
AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD 
1535 COMMAND DR. EE WING. 3RD FLOOR 
ANDHEWS AFB, MIJ 20762.7002 

I 

(EF-V2) 

Previous edition will be used 

I 

I 

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVTEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE 

CASE NIJMBER 

F D - ~ 0 0 6 - 0 0 0 ~ ~  

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

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

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

FINDINGS: Upgrade of discharge is denied. 

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

ISSUE: 

Issue  1.  Although not explicitly stated, the applicant contends his discharge was inequitable because it was 
too harsh.  He contends that he should not have received the Article  15 for being derelict in the performance 
of his duties in that he failed to escort Third Country National employees to ensure they exited the base and 
while assigned as a sentinel, left his post before being relieved.  The records indicated the applicant received 
two Article  15's and a Vacation for misconduct.  The first Article  15, as stated above for being derelict in the 
performance of duty, the applicant was punished with a reduction in grade to senior airman and received a 
suspended forfeiture of pay.  The second infraction was a Vacation action for driving under the influence 
resulting in forfeiture of $945.00 pay for two months.  He also received an Article  15 for the driving under 
the influence in which he was punished with a reduction in grade to airman first class and a reprimand.  The 
DRB opined that through these administrative actions, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his 
negative behavior.  The Board concluded the misconduct was a significant departure from conduct cxpected 
of all military members.  The characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was found to be 
appropriate. 

Issue 2.  Applicant states that his discharge did not take into account the good things he did while in the 
service. The DRB took note of the applicant's duty performance as documented by his performance reports, 
letters of recommendation  and other accomplishments.  They found the seriousness of the willhl misconduct 
offset any positive aspects of the applicant's duty performance.  The Board concluded the discharge was 
appropriate for the reasons which were the basis for this case. 

The applicant further stated his desire for an upgrade in rank to senior airman.  The DRB took note and does 
not have the authority to reinstate a previously held grade.  The applicant's only recourse would be to submit 
a request for consideration to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records. 

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 further concludes that there exists no legal or equitable basis for 
upgrade of discharge, thus the applicant's discharge should not be changcd. 

Attachment: 
Examiner's Brief 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

AIR  FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD 

ANDREWS AFB, MD 

(Former A1C)  (HGH SSGT) 

1.  MATTER  UNDER REVIEW:  Appl rec'd a GEN Disch fr USAF Vandenberg AFB, CA on 22 
Oct 04 UP AFI 36-3208, para 5.49 (Misconduct -  Minor Disciplinary Infractions). 
Appeals for Honorable Discharge. 

2.  BACKGROUND: 

a. DOB: 4 Sep 78.  Enlmt Age: 17 10/12.  Disch Age: 26 1/12. Educ: HS DIPL. 

M-26. PAFSC: 3A051 -  Information Management 

AFQT: N/A.  A-57,  E-57,  4 
Journeyman, DAS: 22 Feb 02. 

b.  Prior Sv: (1) AFRes 17 Jul 96 -  7 Jan 97 ( 5  months 21 days) (Inactive) . 
(2) Enlisted as AB  8 Jan 97 for 4 yxs.  Svd: 3 yrs 1 month 7 

days, all AMS.  AMN  -  8 Jul 97.  A1C -  8 May 98.  SrA -  8 Jan 00.  EPRs: 5,5. 

3.  SERVICE UNDER REVIEW: 

a.  Reenlisted as SrA 15 Feb 00 for 4 yrs. Svd: 04 Yrs 08 Mo 0 8   Das, all 

AMS . 

b.  Grade Status:  A1C -  27 Jul 04  (Article 15, 27 Jul 04) 
SrA -  12 Jun 04  (Article 15, 12 Jun 04) 
SSgt -  1 Sep 03 

c.  Time Lost:  None. 

d.  Art 15's:  (1) 27 Jul 04, Vandanberg AFB, CA -  Article 111.  You, did, 
on or about 10 Jul 04, physically control a vehicle, to 
wit: 2002 Mazda 626, while the alcohol concentration on 
your breath was  ,12 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of 
breath or greater.  Reduction to AlC, and a reprimand. 
(No appeal) (No mitigation) 

( 2 )   21 Jul 04, Vacation, Vandanberg AFB, CA -  Article 111. 

You, did, on or about 10 Jul 04, physically control a 
vehicle, to wit: 2002 Mazda 626, while the alcohol 
concentration on your breath was  .12 grams of alcohol 
per 210 liters of breath or greater,  Forfeiture of 
$945.00 pay per month for 2 months. (No appeal)  (No 
mitigation) 

(3) 12 Jun 04, Vandanberg AFB, CA -  Article 92.  You, who 

knew of your duties at Karshi-Khanabad Airfield, 
Uzbekistan, on or about 2 Jun 04, were derelict in the 
performance of those duties in that you negligently 

failed to escort Third Country National employees you 
were responsible for watching to an Entry Control Point 
and to ensure they exited the base, as it was your duty 
to do.  Article 113.  You, on or about 3 Jun 04, at 
Karshi-Khanabad Airfield, Uzbekistan, while receiving 
special pay under 37 U.S.C. Section 310, being posted as 
a sentinel at Entry Control Point 2, did leave your post 
before you were regularly relieved.  Reduction to SrA. 
Suspended forfeiture of $945.00 pay per month for 2 
months.  Reprimand.  (No appeal) (No mitigation) 

e.  Additional: None. 

f.  CM:  None. 

g.  Record of SV: 08 Sep 99 -  10 Aug 00  Kirtland AFB 
11 Aug 00 -  07 Feb 01  Kirtland AFB 
08 Feb 0 1 -  18 Jan 02  OsanAB 
19 Jan 02 -  18 Jan 03  Vandenberg AFB  4  (Annual) 
19 Jan 03 -  18 Jan 04  Vandenberg AFB  4  (Annual) 

3  (CRO) 
4  (CRO) 
3  (CRO) 

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

i.  Stmtof Sv:  TMS: (08) Yrs  (03) Mos  (06) Das 
TAMS: (07) Yrs  (09) Mos  (15) Das 

4 .   BASIS ADVANCED FOR REVIEW:  Appln  (DD Fm 293) dtd 01 Jan 06. 

(Change Discharge to Honorable) 

ISSUES ATTACHED TO BRIEF. 

ATCH 
1. Applicant's Issues, 
2. Three Character References. 
3. DD Form 214. 
4. Airman Leadership School Diploma. 

United States Air Force (Discharge) Review Boards Agency 
550-C Street West, Suite 40 
Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78 150-4742 

MEMORANDUM FOR USAF REVIEW.BOARDS AGENCY 

SAF/MRBR 

1  January 2006 

SUBJECT:  PERSONAL CHARACTER ATTACHMENT LETTER(S) TO REQUEST AND CONSIDER OVERALL SERVED 

MILITARY ACTiVE DUTY, IN SUPPORT OF SECTION 6 OF DD FORM 293, APPLICATION FOR THE 
REVIEW OF DISCHARGE FROM TWE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES AND (2) REQUEST 
APPROVAL OF CHARACTERlZATlON OF DISCHARGE CATEOORY UPGRADE TO LLHONORABLE", 
ADMINISTERED BY THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD TO AUTHORIZE 
UPGRADE MODIFICATION ON DD FORM 2 14, CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM 
ACTIVE DUTY 

Dear greetings to the United States Air Force Review Boards AgencylDischarge Review Board, 

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

i.  I am a 27-year old single full-time employeelpart-time evening college student 

Hello, my name is  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,  
civilian and ex-servicememberlseparated veteran, currently residing at my Home of  Record location in San Diego, CA.  I 
served enlisted active duty in the United States Air Force fiom 8 January 1997 to 22 October 2004, and with all of my 
inner being, belief, and spirit, I served my country PROUDLY, for the better part of 8 years of my life.  My decision to 
join the United States Air Force after high school at 17, not only opened a new door of career opportunities for me in my 
forthcoming adult life, but I also received the admiration and undying support from my mother, friends, and additional 
family members.  Along with having that much needed support in my pocket given to me by my family and friends, the 
fact that I would embark on potentially traveling to new places those back home would never see, made them and I much 
more excited to begin my journey toward a prosperous and self-fulfilling career in the United States Air Force.  I am 
cordially writing to all appointed members of the United States Air Force Review Board today, with all my sincere effort 
and hope of requesting your consideration, approval, and granted blessing to upgrade my rank pay grade and overall 
characterization of discharge to an "Honorable"  category stature.  I received a General Discharge (under Honorable 
Conditions) in October 2004, marking the end of my Air Force active duty military career, at Vandenberg Air Force Base. 
California (MAJCOM-Air  Force Space Command/AFSPC). Before I further explain to the appointed members of the 
United States Air Force Discharge Review Board (USAFDRB) the reasons why I received a General-Under Honorable 
Conditions characterization of discharge and my justification to request the USAFDRB strongly consider and grant 
approval to motion an authorization to upgrade my ranwdischarge characterization, I would like to provide a few 
follawing facts, in regard to my service throughout my time on active duty: 

(Continued on following page) 

Had never been placed on a personnel "control roster", which usually comes with the consequence of a 
commander's action taken against an Air Force servicemember who clearly demonstrates 9ubstantid misconduct 
in a particular incident, or a series of incidents, while serving on active duty. 
Had never lost a certified SECRET-classification level security clearance during a point of time served on 
active duty, which is granted and received upon a distinctly thorough Federal Government background check 
before entering active duty, however, can be taken away for clearly demonstrating substantial misconduct by a 
servicemember, while serving on active duty. 

Had never been de-certified in my career-field skill level (3 or 5-level) during gg point of time served on active 
duty as an information Management apprenticeljourneyman (Administrative), nor had I ever been classified as 
failure to promess, in my career upgrade training. 
-- 

Directly supported numerous flight section and squadron commanding officers (0-4 and above) during time 
served on active duty as a Commander's Support Staff (CSS) member. 

During my tenure served on active duty (and as shown on my DD Form 214, Section 18, Member-1 and 
Member-4 copy), J received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal &,  in which the oak leaf cluster was 
awarded. 
Served a consecutive months (of 93 total months) of clean active duty militay service, without any major 
derogatory action taken against me, under the legal statute of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). 

As previously mentioned, I received a General (under Honorable Conditions) Discharge that was due in part by two 
incidents, in which I both received Article 15Mon-Judicial Punishment WJP) action and a reduction of an enlisted 
gradelstripe for both offenses.  They are the following (NOTE: The two incidents and administrative punishment taken 
upon me by the Air Force, all occurred within the LAST 6 MONTHS SERVED ON ACTIVT DUTY): 

I.  First mense (approx May 2004):  As an E-5 StafSSergeant (SSgt) during a 3-month overseas deployment in the 
Middle East (Xarshi-Khanabad Air Base,  Uzbekistan-supporting  "Operation Enduring Freedom 7, war found 
guilty by the Expeditionav  Wing Commander/Base Commander (0-6 rank oficial, Colonel), for dereliction of 
duty by leaving post  without proper  relie: 

2.  Second Oflense (July 2004): As an E-4 Senior Airman  (SrA) at my permanent duty assignment at Vandenberg Air 
Force Base, Callfomia, approximately one month after returning from  the overseas deployment in  Uzbekistan, was 
found  guilty by v p  direct squadron commander (0-5, Lt Colonel), for  Driving Under the Inience (Dm) at the 
installation S main gate on an 08-duty weekend night. 

(As a request to the United States Air Force Request Discharge Review Board, may the record reflect of further research 
of my  military personnel service files by the USAFDRB, that I never received any other severelv maior adverse action 
taken against me during any other period of service on active duty that would constitute a concerning distinct ou#ern of 
mlsconduc~ 

***CIRCUMSTANTIAL OUTLOOK OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO FIRST OF.FENSE/ADMINISTRATTVE 
ACTION, ItjRESULT; 

May 2004, Karshi-Khanabud Air Base, Uzbekistan: 
During this time window, on a cool evening in May 2004,l was on duty/post working a 12-hour shift as a Third Country 
National (TCN) escort adjacent to the installation's airfield, overlooking security of conbactad Uzbek country nationals 
who were performing maintenance construction work at a section of the installation's airfield vicinity 

(NOTE: USAF Security Forces supervised pveral2  security measures of the installation's airfield).  My orders while on 
duty, as was given to me by my direct deployment supervisor every duty day (a higher ranked SSgt that had a "line 
numbery7 for TSgt), was to remain on post and continue security measures until the contracted Uzbek nationals finished 
work for the day and escort them outside the airfield and installation's boundaries.  On this particular evening, I witnessed 
the Uzbek country national contract workers proceeding to head for the end of the airfield's  boundaries of the installation 
(of which regularly would mean that the workers concluded work for the day, to head home off-baseloutside installation 
boundaries).  As ordemd, like any other end of duty day before leaving post before leaving the airfield and re-entering the 
inner limits of the installation, I personally escorted the workers outside the airfield/installation boundaries, assuming all 
workers under my assigned watch had properly exited the outside limits of the airfieldlinstallation.  My additional 
instructions by my deployment supervisor, was to ensure the entire site of the airfield section that I was assigned to, was 
clear of remaining contracted workers, and confm all forkliftslconstruction-made machines were turned off.  Once these 
end-of-duty day confmtion security measures were met, I was free to leave my post and proceed to end my duty for the 
day.  As instructed (although the construction site area that was regularly watched by TCN escorts was pitch-black and 
dark because all the work lights and constru~tion vehicle machines were turned off), I scanned the work site one last time 
and then efficiently made proper judgment that the work site area of the airfield was secure, I continued to leave the 
airfield and re-entered the militarylcontract civilian installation boundaries ("tent city").  Approximately one hour a h r  
leaving my post and under the impression I was off-duty, I was approached by my direct TCN escort co-worker/ 
supervisor at the TCN office (back on the main boundaries of the installation), having already turned in my work radio 
upon ending shift work.  My direct then proceeded to explain that a USAF Security Forces officer (a 2Lt) had witnessed 
contracted country nationals still working on the airfield without a TCN escort, and that the Security Forces officer had 
also proceeded to inform the Air Force OfEce of Special Investigations (AFOSI) agents assigned to the base,  After I 
further explained to my direct supervisor in detail my actions that distinctly followed my end-of-duty day security 
measures to implement before leaving post (in which my supervisor agreed I followed daily duty orders to the best of my 
ability), regardless of the fact, 1 was ordered to report back to the airfield to answer circumstance-of-events questions by 
on-site SNCOIOfficer Security Forces and AFOSI agent personnel.  After providing written statements of my escort duty, 
I was later charged with dereliction of duty without proper relief,  Throughout the investigation processlperiod, I had the 
full su~vort of my direct TCN supervisor and all other higher-ranking NCO/company-grade officer personnel in my direct 
TCN squadronlunit (of which 3 character witness letters were written on my behalf in defense of the charges that were 
brought against me, explaining the full support and justification of my diligent security measure implementation, in 
addition with requesting such high degree of possible action that might be taken not be imposed or warranted). In the end 
result, despite gaining full support of my entire unit chain-of-command that my security measures were just, I still was 
given NJP action and a reduction to the grade of Senior AinnanISrA by the Expeditionary W i n o a s e  Commander at 
Karshi-Khanabad AB.  I, to this day, feel I was wrongly punished for doing my job in a manner I was distinctly told to 
perform, that- 
had lead to eventual diminished end to my Air Force cmer. Meanwhile, during this period (May 
2004 and in times previous), I also had a few other milestones that I was doing my best to resolve which started in the 
States, in that I had hoped this deployment would make my personal life and on-going future career in the Air Force a' 
more smoother, positive, and a newly "reborflconcentrated  one. 

' 

During this period, I was in excessive financial debt that compiled dating back to my first few years in the Air Force. 
Although the Air Force was never personally involved in my financial trouble (for some time), because I made my 
personal commitment to maintain responsibility to pay my "minimum  amounts" month-to-month, I still had an astounding 
debt that 1 still to this day, could not fathom overcoming had I not volunteered (NOTE:  1 mention volunteered) for the 
deployment to Uzbekistan.  Throughout most of my enlisted military career, I was in serious credit card debt equaling 
$3,500.00 that derived from my younger days being stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base (Albuquerque, New Mexico), 
where I managed to rack up this significant amount using my Base ExchangeBX-PXJAAFES card.  1 was around 18-19 
years old, young and totally uneducated about credit.  1 wanted things for my new dorm mom at my first base away from 
home-but  yet, didn't  have the money to cover what I wanted (that very minute!). So I "charged away" early in my 
young Air Force career, unaware how long this significant amount of debt would follow me later on.  Additionally, some 
time and a good few years during my assignment tenures, I met a particular woman, had a steady long-term relationship, 
and eventually became married to this woman.  Like most relationships and marriages, they go through problems and 
sometimes unpredictable downfalls--mine  was no different.  I had an overall nightmarish experience in a very short 

divorce was 

marriage with an individual that gave me hell, all the way until my divorce was signed and official by a Santa Barbara 
County, California judge.  I eventually came to realize that after 3 years of a long-term relationship with this particular 
woman, getting married to her (literally) probably was not the best decision for me personally in my young adult life and 
for my potentially-growing career in the Air Force, on top of the fact by having enough of a personal "helping"  of 
problems on my plate,  I dealt with an outright manipulative, vindictive, attention-getting, drama-prone woman 
throughout the short course of my marriage with her (10 months before separation, 16 months total-when 
final in Santa Barbara County, CA).  The sad part in regards to her demeanor, while her "disguised" version of her 
personality supposedly supported my career and her role as an Air Force wife, she did everything to help in the 
contribution of diminishing it, the very moment she knew I would move on with my life without her (thankfully I never 
had children with her).  She (a civilian) constantly dealt with my squadron chain-of-command at Vandenberg AFB during 
my "pre-divorcdsepmtion"  finalization period, in a primitive attempt to use what she new about military laws to falsely 
accuse me of not honoring spousal support payments every month, until the divorce was over (I was ordered by  my 
squadron chain-of-command at Vandenberg AFB, CA-to  pay FULL Basic Allowance for Sus~nanceIBAS 
I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE NATURAL DEPENDENTSICHILDREN WlTH HER!).  Realizing that 1 
entitlement-AND 
needed to end my marriage with a woman that did more harm than good and caused more stress than relief, I incurred 
more debt,  Only this time, I needed to rent a moving truck and all the transportation expenses that came with it.  Going 
through an ugly separation and pre-divorce period, I personally had no money to send my eventuallsoon-to-be ex-wife 
back to her home in New Mexico (from California).  So, I was forced to borrow from the base's  federal credit union 
(Vmdenberg AFB) institution, in taking out a loan to cover the moving/transportation costs to send my separated spouse 
(and her dependent son) back home.  This moment in time (around Aug-Sep 2003) was extremely difficult for me.  I  was 
close to $5,600.00 in credit cardibank loan debt, going through a terrible divorce period, broke, and all at the same time, 
trying my best to maintain my composure in the progression of my Air Force career potential (filed for divorce from my 
spouse in November 2003-State  of California, County of Santa Barbara).  So, after moving my spouse back to New 
Mexico, an opportunity of a lifetime (in  my belief), came into my rather disorganized and extremely unstable personal 
situation. A 3-month deployment tour to the Middle East (with a Report No Later Than DateIRNLTD of March 2004) 
popped up in my squadron and I jumped on the opportunity.  A deployment like this would allow me to see another part 
of the world I had never seen before, would give me a short break from all my personal stress in the States, make enough 
money from the tax-free  deployment zone benefit to pay off my astounding credit cardhank loan debts, and lastly, 
become a certified single man again when I returned from deployment (State of California requires a dmonth & 1 day 
period from the initial file date, to finalize a divorce-my divorce finalized in early May 2004). 

Upon returning from my deployment in June 2004 (although no longer as a SSgt, but a SrA), I fulfilled a few goals of 
becoming debt-free nnd had a brief period of piece-of-mind from just getting out of an ugly divorce just a month before. 
However, the most important goal, would forever be stripped away from me the remainder of my time in the Air Force- 
my potential career progression. 

***CIRCUMSTANTIAL OUTLOOK OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO SECOND OFFENSEIADMMISTRATIVE 
ACTION. IN RJ3SULT: 

JundJuly 2004-  Vandenberg AFB, California (afier returning from deployment in Uzbekistan): 
Regardless of the fact that my path of rank and career progression in my Air Force career was wrongly taken away from 
me by losing my newly acquired NCO status (pinned on SSgt in Sep 2003, reduced to SrA in May-June 2004) over an 
outright ridiculous misunderstanding of TCN escort security measure implementation in the Middle East (that I in the end 
took the "heat"  for), 1 was still optimistic that is was possible my Air Force career still had some life left.  I was extremely 
embarrassed of knowing I left Vandenberg AFB, CA a newly converted NCO, with an abundance of potential to 
becoming a future leader, and returned to it (Vandenberg AFB) in what I sincerely felt of myself as a failure, of being a 
SrA again that just had a short-lived benefit opportunity of being a SSgt while it lasted.  While in many ways, 1 and the 
rest of my  squadron chain-of-command, friends, and family believed my career growth was '7emporarily" held back, I 
truly and mentally didn't get over the realization that MY CAREER (SSgt stripe)--that  I had worked so hard and studied 
my heart and soul for, was taken away for something I might have only deserved a Letter of ReprimandILOR for (at best) 
in Uzbekistan. In some ways after returning back to Vandenberg a SrA, I think momentarily for a span of a short period 

of time, I lost sight of how important my Air Force career really was.  In sincerely believing for a brief moment (in 
defense of my career viewpoint), if an 0-6 commanding officer in charge of an Expeditionary Wing in Uzbekistan didn't 
have enough mercy within himself to warrant a lesser punishment for me other than taking my SSgt stripelcareer away, 
why should I really continue to believe in my own career in the long run?  That demotion hurt me emotionally and 
mentally inside, especially ranging from a vision that coming back from the desert s debt-free, single, problem-free, 
pumped-and-ready-to-lead NCO with a reborn career... .was now over.  The difference of the way I was looked at my 
Team Vandenberg fellow sexvicemembers in my  squadron and around the base that I  knew (the difference between before 
and after I returned from that overwas deployment), extremely disappointed me.  1 absolutely felt a growing passion of 
anger inside myself that my career was over (although my inner being showed others around me I still had potential and 
life in my Air Force career).  I became careless in my priorities concerning moving on with what career I still had left, 
which is obviously one of the factors that brought upon my second and last run-in with trouble in my Air Force career. 
On a weekend night in July 2004, I attempted to enter Vandenberg AFB's main gate (Santa Maria gate) with my vehicle, 
after consuming alcoholic beverages at a local pub, just outside the installation's  land jurisdiction in a nearby sub-city 
(Lompoc, CA).  As I defmitely know, along with the appointed members of the Air Force Discharge Review Board 
reading this, I made one of the dumbest and unthinkable mistakes I could have made in my already '%thin-ice"  Air Force 
career stature, Indeed, I was caught by the base's  Security Forces personnel, and to really look at things in an exact 
perspectiv-e 
NCO, had literally said goodbye to a lot sooner than a lot later. 

on-base DUI gave me a huge wake-up call in an instant,  that my once promising career as a young SSgt 

In an instant, I became a 7 '/2 year U.S. Air Force servicemember with an SSgt first-line supe~isor/leadership opportunity 
of promise, to an Airman First Class/AI C worker-bee stature that I hadn't  seen, since my first 1 '/a year in the Air 
Force.. .all in the course of 6 MONTHS of misfortune, unfocused thinking, stupidity, and a little bit of uneventful 
. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , 
circumstantial stress.  Yet in still, because my inner personality and continued potential (minus the last two misfortunate 
incidents of administrative action taken against me), my squadron (including my squadron commander, Lt Col; - - - - - - - - - -; 
--------------- 
1 -. . -. -. . -. . -. -3, supported me continuously, and still did not turn their backs on me.  I think now how the year 2004 was so 
gruesome of a year for me, with lots of disappointments, .-.-..-....-..-....- 
let downs, stress, and uncertainty.  However, I will never forget 
how the 2"d Range Operations Squadron and Lt Colonel i -..-....-..-. ..-..- i as squadron commander at Vandenberg Air 
Force Base, California, treated me like I stilJ  was a valuable asset to the unit and to the United States Air Force.  Lt Col 
Richard Schoonmaker (my last commander on active duty) did not even pursue a r'commander-discretionary" push to 
have me involuntarily discharged!  My commander and the 2nd Range Operations Squadron at Vandenberg still truly 
believed (even aRer two "A-15's"  and two reductions in grade), my overall inner potential overshadowed and outweighed 
the rather wwise, yet unfortunate mistakes of circumstance that occurred by my unfocused and unnerving actions.  I, on 
the other hand, felt I made a great promising "run"  in my pursuit of a prosperous and self-fulfilling active duty career in 
the United States Air Force.  In being truly honest with myself in analyzing that exact point in my career, I knew with a 
reasonable amount of common sense, it was too much of an uphill climb for an AlC with an almost 8-year time-in-service 
stature, to continue to salvage a once bright and potentially ------- 
emotional meeting with my squadron commander, Lt Coil ----------------------, 
separation (of which he in fact did, based on my reasoning I sincerely understood my career was going nowhere at that 
point).  My last commander truly felt my on-base DUI was, in essence, my onl,! hard swing at bat, regarding both offenses 
-------  ---------------- 
I was given NJP action and reductions in grade for.  Even in an extra effort to fully support my early separation, Lt Col 
:put together a separation package, to motion for a "Honorable"  Discharge, of which was 
----------- 
'overturned5~-6ililkary Personnel FlighUMPF Separations section through direction of the Vandenberg AFB 
commander (Colonel Frank Gallegosgto downgrade the discharge to a General (under Honorable Conditions) 
characterization.  Regardless, as aforementioned, for as long as I live, in reflecting over the course of my active duty 
military service, I will never fqrget-&emdyjpg-qppreciation and support the 2d Range Operations Squadron and 
squadron commander (Lt Coli 
will deeply and sincerely miss my last assignment on active duty always, for I had lots of good times there that will 
forever shadow over the bad ones. 

3 showed me, throughout my tenure at Vandenberg AFB, California. I 

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

exemp!q-Ai!-h[ce 

career.  1 personally had a heartfelt and 
: to request for him to approve my early 

great deal of life-changing lessons in maintaining a good sense of bearing, integrity, judgment and accountability of my 
actions. My personal character of who I am inside and the many contributions, sacriftccs, a d  loyalty I brought forth for 
the sake of the Air Force mission, within my pride, maturity, and potential for success, speaks greater volumes over a 
couple discerning incidents and their consequential lessons in my military career (that T have learned from with the utmost 
sincerity).  As a civilian who will always have a small piece of the Air Force inside my heart, gives me great drive and 
determination to continue becoming the greatest person I can be and my potential for success.  I believe the Air Force 
should grant me the coveted privilege of another chance to apply that potential for success in my present and future road 
to achieve excellence in all I do.  1 believe 1 deserve another chance, not only for myself, but in recognition of my own 
potential and abilities within me.  I sincerely feel an upgrade to the rank of Senior AirmdSrA (E-4) and an Honorable 
characterization of discharge on my DD Form 21 4, would give me the tools to show the United States Air Force and 
myself, how good people continue to achieve great things, even after active duty service.  This upgrade request I am 
hoping the appointed members of the Air Force Discharge Review Board will slrongly consider and authorizelmotion to 
approve, allows me to unveil in fill force my maximum determination and drive to achieve my goals and dreams 
(originallylinitially set forth to achieve on active duty).  'This  rankldischarge upgrade gives me another chance to bring 
great credit to do myself proud (first and foremost), along with my family, my friends, the United States Air Force, and to 
my country.  This upgrade allows me to have another chance to achieve my continued educational milestones, in addition 
to pursuing another chance in continuing my years of service to the United States Armed Forces on a part-time basis. 

In closing, I, with all my inner sincerity, heart, inner being, drive, and on-going potential to achieve great lengths in my 
continued life and career path, am asking the appointed members of the United States Air Force Discharge Review Board 
in this final moment of testament on my behalf with heartfelt emotion, to strongly consider and authorize a rank upgrade 
to Senior AirmdSrA (E-4) and an "Honorable"  characterization of service discharge on my DD Form 214 records. 
Please allow me this second chance to fulfill my maximum potential that the Air Force gave me this primary goal and 
privilege to achieve.  Thank you to the Honorable appointed members of the United States Air Force Discharge Review 
Board (USAFDRB), for your consideration and possible approvallauthorization to motion in favor of my radddischarge 
characterization upgrade. 

I - ...---- 

FP~--- -.,-"  -17 

- -..-,.-A 

C 
DEPARTMENT OF THB AIR FORCE 

3 

m l P A d m # u n P o  

PROM:  2ROPS/CC 

SUBJECT.  Notification M m e

-Board  Hearing 

 

1.  I am recornending your discharge h r n  the United States Air Fame for Misconduct: Minor 
Disciplinary ~ o n s
 T&e authority for this action is AFPD 36-32, Military Retirements and 
Sepamtions, and AFI  36-3208, A&inistruthe  Separation ofAinnen, paragraph 5.49,  Copies of the 
documents to be fixwarded to the sepaFBtion authority to support this recommendation are attached. 

.

2.  My reason for this action is: 

a On 2 Jun 04, you wera derelict in the performmw of duties in that you Glad to awrt 

the Third Country National employees that you wem mponsibla for.  As a result, you rooeived 
non-judicial punishment consisting of reduction in rank to Senior Airman and suspeuded forfaitms 
of $945.00 pay per month for two months. 

b.  On 10 Jul 04, you attempted to enta the main gate of Vandenberg AFB while driving 

under the influence,  30 SFS cited you for a violation of Art, 11 1, UCMJ, for drunk driving aa your 
BrAC was .12, above the legal limit of .08,  As a d t ,
 you d v e d  non-judicial punishment 
consisting of a reduction in rank to Airman Fit Class, as well ae a vacation of the suspended 
non-judidal puniahm~~~t. 

3.  Tbis action could have d t s d  in your separation with an Undea Other Than Honorable 
Conditions (UOTHC) Discharge, However,-at this t h e  I am mcommesding that you receive an 
Undcs Honorable Conditions (Chmd) Discharge.  The commander exmising special court-martial 
jurisdiction or a higher authority will make the final docision in this matter. If you are discharged, 
you will be ineligible for reenlistment in the United States Air Force and will probably be denied 
enlistment in any component of the armed forces and any @a1  pay, bonus, or education 
assistaace k d s  may be m b j d  to rwoupment. 

4.  You have the right to: 

a,  Consult logal counsel. 

b.  Preaent your case to an administrrrdve discharge board, 

QUARDIANS OF THE HIGH FRONIER 

YSo Hawks' 

c.  Be raprmemted by legal cowel at a board hearing. 
d.  Submit statcanents in your behalf in addition ta, or h lieu of, the board h
e.  Waive the above ri&b4, You must cwsult legal ~1)unsc1 bafwe mn\ritln a decision to waive 
any of your riw. 

e

 

5.  You have been scheduled for a medical examiaatlon.  You must reportto Family M m  
Clinic, 30 M M 3  on 29 Sep 04, at  1010 how for tha txdnadan. 

1

 

0

~

6. You have the right to consult ~
Military legal counsel has beaa obtained to assist you. 
.
:at Bldg 8500, ImmndEntely after receiving this 
You ~ t t a  to consult Captain: 
notifiation.  htwd of th0~i~ixiid~c0~iiGd; may have another, if the lawyer you request 
is in the active military senrice sad is reasonably available aa detcmhed m r d i n g  to AFI 51 - 
201, Admintrtratfon of Military Jtantce.  In addidon to military comael, you have the right to 
employ civilian cou118cl.  The Air Force d m  not pay &xpenm mddcnt to tho mployment of 
civilian counsel.  Civilian oounsel, if employed, must be readily available. 

7.  Confer with your mumel and reply, in writing, within 7 workdays, specifying the rights you 
choose to exeaist.  The statement must be signed in the presence of your counsel who also will 
sign it.  If you waive your right to a hearing before an adtnfnlstmtive discharge b o d ,  you may 
submit written statemmta in your behalf.  1 I send the statements to tXle discharge authority 
with the cam file to be considaed with this re~~mmendation, If you fail to respond, yout failure 
will conetitute a waivcx of the ri&t  to the board hearing. 

8.  Any personal information you furnish in rebuttal is c c w d  by the Privacy Act of 1974.  A 
copy of AFI 363208 is available fbr your use at the office of the Area Defense Counsel. 

9.  If you request a board and you fail to -ear  without good caw, your Wure to appear 
constitutes a waiver of your right to be present at the hearing, 

10.  If  you reccived advanced educational assistance, special pay, or bonuses, and have not 
completed the period of active duty you agtead to servo, you may be subject to ~cwpment. 

1 1.  Execute the attached aoknowledgment and return it to me immediately. 

Ab~hmmta: 
1.  Supporting bocuukepta 
2.  Receipt of Notification Manorandun