(b) (6)

(b) (6)

(b) (6)

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE	CASE NUMBER

FD-2016-00203	

GENERAL: The applicant appeals for upgrade of discharge characterization to Honorable and to change the reason and authority for the discharge.

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.

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 issue connected with post traumatic stress disorder or traumatic
. brain injury and/or special training on mental health disorders.

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

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

DISCUSSION: 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 applicant's record of service included:·one Article 15; two Letters of Reprimand. Her misconduct included failing to·refrain from using government travel card for other than official purposes; making a false official statement to an investigator; misusing prescription dnigs; assaulting roommate's girlfriend, stealing her credit card and military identification; driving to · a convenience store while under the influence of alcohol and using stolen credit card to purchase cigarettes.

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 received a General discharge for Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure. The applicant contends the discharge was improper because the failed attempt at alcohol rehabilitation was a direct result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Applicant provided documentation to support the PTSD event that triggered the alcohol rehabilitation failure. The DRB determined that PTSD significantly contributed to the reason for discharge.

A discharge is upgraded only if it is established that an inequity or impropriety took place at the time of discharge. After a thorough review of the record and advice from the mental health specialist, the Board found that mental health issues had an impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge. Additionally, the Board found enough evidence to justify an upgrade of the discharge characterization and change of reason and authority for the discharge.

CONCLUSION: The Discharge Review Board concludes that the discharge was inconsistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and finds the applicant was not provided full administrative due process.

In view of the foregoing findings, the Board concludes that the overall quality of applicant's service is more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge and the reason for the discharge is more accurately described as Secretarial Authority and the reenlistment code changed to 3K under the provisions of 10 USC§l553.	

Attachment: Examiner's Brief