AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00405	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 1 Dec 14 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge in the Interest of National Security.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), with counsel (Mr. Richard Williams), via video teleconference between Joint Base Andrews, MD, and Warner-Robins AFB, GA on 26 Sep 17.  No witnesses were present to testify on the applicant’s behalf.  The following additional exhibit was submitted at the hearing:  Exhibit 6:  Summary of applicant’s contentions.

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the board included a member who is a clinical psychiatrist with training on mental health issues connected with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), and 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 deny the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable.  It also voted to not make any changes to her discharge narrative reason and 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 Career Development Course failures and the inability to obtain a security clearance.  

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because there was no misconduct.  She claimed she was prohibited from performing duties while awaiting the results of her security clearance determination.  The applicant believed she was unable to obtain a security clearance because of financial debts, however, those debts primarily consisted of medical bills for which Tricare was partially or totally responsible.  Since her discharge, the applicant maintained employment, was on track to complete a bachelor’s degree in Dec 17, and had been accepted into a master’s degree program.  

The board determined the applicant’s negligence in providing timely information was a major contributor to the discharge.  The DRB was pleased to see the applicant has been successful since leaving the Air Force.  However, the board reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant any change to the discharge characterization or to grant other relief as requested.  

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found no conclusive indication that any mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge.

Should the applicant obtain additional information to substantiate her contentions, the board highly recommends she exercise her right to appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.  

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 17 Nov 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