AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD	
NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER (LAST, FIRST, MIDDLE INITIAL)
(b) (6)	HEARING DATE
2017-08-30	CASE NUMBER
FD-2016-00185	
TYPE
General		PERSONAL APPEARANCE	X	NON-PERSONAL APPEARANCE	
COUNSEL	NAME OF COUNSEL AND/OR ORGANIZATION	ADDRESS AND/OR ORGANIZATION OF COUNSEL	
Yes	No			
	X			

BOARD MEMBERS	VOTE OF THE BOARD	
	HON	GEN	UOTHC	OTHER	DENY	
(b) (6)					X*#	
(b) (6)	X*				#	
(b) (6)	X*				#	
(b) (6)	X*				#	
(b) (6)					X*#	
(b) (6)						
ISSUES	INDEX NUMBER	EXHIBITS SUBMITTED 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 EXHIBITS SUBMITTED AT TIME OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE	
			TAPE RECORDING OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE HEARING	
APPLICANT’S ISSUE(S) AND THE BOARD’S DELIBERATIONS ARE SUMMARIZED ON THE ATTACHED AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT	
Case heard at JB Andrews, MD.

* - Narrative Reason

(b) (6)

# - Reenlistment Eligibility Code of 3K (change RE code to 2C instead) Advise applicant of the decision of the DRB.

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, AUG 17	(EF-V2)	Previous edition will be used

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT	CASE NUMBER

FD-2016-00185	

GENERAL: The applicant was discharged on 12 Dec 08 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Drug Abuse). The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 30 Aug 17.

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), but declined and requested the board be completed based on a records only review. The applicant was not represented by counsel.

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the 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 (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and/or training on mental health disorders.

The attached examiner’s brief (provided to applicant only), extracted from available service records, contains pertinent data regarding the circumstances and character of the applicant’s military service.

FINDING: The DRB voted 3 to 2 to approve the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable.  It also voted to change the narrative reason to Secretarial Authority and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C.

DISCUSSION:  The DRB, 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 changes are warranted.  If applicable, the board can also change the applicant’s reenlistment eligibility code. 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 determine if the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety.

The applicant’s record of service included one Article 15 for wrongfully using marijuana on multiple occasions.

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to pre-service sexual trauma and other mental health diagnoses found in the applicant’s medical record, the board considered the case based on the liberal consideration standard required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and 10 USC §1553.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper. She admitted her past mistakes and requested the service characterization upgrade to become eligible for the G.I. Bill in order to attend nursing school.

After reviewing the service record, the DRB found no evidence to indicate the applicant was unaware of the Air Force policy of zero tolerance for illegal drug use. The board also found no evidence to indicate the discharge was improper.  However, there was sufficient evidence to convince the board the discharge was inequitable.  It determined relief was warranted based on the applicant’s PTSD related to pre-service sexual trauma and other mental health diagnoses.  The board concluded these conditions were aggravated by her military service, mitigated the reason for the discharge, and negatively impacted her ability to serve satisfactorily.	

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found conclusive evidence that mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct and discharge.

CONCLUSION: The board concluded the applicant’s discharge was inequitable. Therefore, it determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge and the narrative reason should be Secretarial Authority. Additionally, the reenlistment eligibility code was changed to 2C.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 15 Sep 17.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to: SAF/MRBR (CITU), 550-C Street West, Suite 41, Randolph AFB, TX 78150-4743.

Attachment: Examiner's Brief