AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD
NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER (LAST, FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL)	GRADE
(b)(6)
TYPE GEN	I	PERSONAL APPEARANCE	x	I	RECORD  REVIEW
COUNSEL	NAM£Of COUNSEL ANDORORGANIZATION	ADDRESS AND OR ORGANIZATION OF COUNSEL
YES	No
x

(bH6)-

VOTE OFTHE BOARD
MEMBER  SITTING	HON	GEN	UOTHC	OTHER	DENY
X #* X #* X #* X #*

X #*

ISSUES	A94.53	INDEX NUMBER	A67.90	EXHIBITSSUBMJITED TO THE BOARD
1 ORDER APPOINTING THE BOARD
2	APPLICATION FOR REVIEW Of DISCHARGE
3	LETTER Of NOTIFICATION
4	BRIEF OF PERSONNEL FILE COUNSEL'S RELEASE TO THE BOARD
ADDITIONAL EXHIBITSSUBMITTED ATTIME OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE
TAPE RECORDING OFPERSONAL APPEARANCE HEARING

HEARING DATE	CASENUMBER

22 Sep 2016	FD-2014-00474
APPUCANT'S ISSUE AND THE BOARD'SDECISIONAL RATIONALE AREDISCUSSED ON11!1!ATTACHED AIR FORCE DISCHAil0£ klMEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALS.

Case heard in Washington, D.C.

Advise applicant of the decision of the Board,the right to a personal appearance with/without counsel, and the right to submit an application to the AFBCMR.

# Change to narrative reason

* RE code -2C

/l
(b}(6)

?'	INDORSEMENT	.............,	DATE:  9/23120'l"if'
TO:	FROM:

SAF/MRBR

SECRETARY OFTHEAIR FORCEPERSONNEL COUNCIL AIR FORCE DISCHAll.GE REVIEW BOARD

550CSTREETWEST,SUITE  40	1535 COMMAND DR, £1!: WING,JRD FLOOR
RANDOLPHAFB,TX78150-4742	ANDREWS AFB. MD l0761.-1001

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, JAN 00	(EF-V2)	Previous

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE	CASE NUMBER

FD-2014-00474	

GENERAL: The applicant appeals for upgrade of discharge characterization to Honorable.

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB) but declined and requests that the review be completed based on the available service record.

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

Pursuant to 10 USC 1553 this board included a member who is a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist, or a physician with training on mental health issues connected with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic brain injury and/or special training on mental health disorders.

FINDING: After a review of the record, the Board unanimously voted to grant the relief of the requested upgrade as discussed below.

DISCUSSION: The applicant received a General discharge for Misconduct - Conduct Prejudicial to Good Order and Discipline. The Air Force Discharge Review Board, under its responsibility  to  examine  the propriety and equity of an applicant 's discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted.  In reviewing discharges, the Board presumes regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption , to include evidence submitted by the applicant. The Board completed a thorough review of the circumstances that led to the discharge and the discharge process to ensure the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The applicant's record of service included one Article 15 and three Letters of Reprimand. His misconduct included: causing $2591 of damage to a government vehicle; failing to report to duty on time on two separate occasions; failing to go to duty; disrespecting a non-commission ed officer; and being absent from duty on two separate occasions.

The applicant stated that he has no excuse for his misconduct, however he cited his desire to receive the G.l. Bill benefits as justification for upgrade. Although not explicitly contended by the applicant,  the  Board reviewed the record along with advice from the mental health specialist , to determine if there was any indication that mental health issues had an impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge. After review of the record the DRB surmised that there is a possibility that the applicant suffered from prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia during his military service. It is also likely that his prodromal symptoms were exacerbated while serving and began to manifest when the applicant's misconduct occurred. The Board concluded that the mental health issues of the applicant had a direct impact on his misconduct. Therefore, an upgrade of the discharge characterization and change to the narrative reason and re-enlistment code are warranted.

CONCLUSION: 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 the applicant was provided full administrative due process.

However, in view of the foregoing findings, the Board concludes the reason for the discharge  is  more accurately characterized as Honorable with a narrative reason of Secretarial Authority and the reenlistment code changed to 2C under the provisions of Title 10, USC  1553.

Attachment: Examiner's Brief