AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00287	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 16 Oct 15 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge for Misrepresentation.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable and a change to her reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 12 Jan 18.  

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 represented by counsel (Mr. James Trieschmann).   

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 unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code.

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 two Letters of Reprimand.  Her misconduct included being absent without leave from her place of duty, making a false official statements, and presenting a forged document with signatures that she knew were not authentic.   

The applicant contended the discharge was improper because she was not given the right to submit a rebuttal to the discharge or the service characterization prior to the discharge becoming final.  She contended the discharge was inequitable because it was based on an isolated incident and her entire service record was not considered by the chain of command when determining the service characterization.  The applicant also claimed she never received any final separation documents and noted that since separating, she has completed bachelors and masters degrees and is currently a candidate for a doctorate degree.   

The board noted the applicant was represented by the Area Defense Counsel and waived her right to an administrative discharge board hearing in return for receiving no less than a General service characterization.  It did not agree with the applicant’s contention that her discharge was based on one isolated incident since her misconduct occurred over a period that exceeded one year.  The board concluded the seriousness of the applicant’s willful misconduct and negative aspects of her service outweighed the positive contributions she made during her Air Force career.
 
CONCLUSION:  The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  Therefore, the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and her request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 28 Feb 18.  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