AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00425	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 5 Mar 10 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Drug Abuse).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), without counsel, via video teleconference between Joint Base Andrews, MD and Warner-Robins AFB, GA on 27 Sep 17.  No witnesses were present to testify on the applicant’s behalf.  Two additional exhibits were submitted by the applicant.

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 approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, 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 two Letters of Reprimand.  His misconduct included:  failure to report for a random urinalysis test on time, admitting marijuana use to a health care provider, and being arrested off-base for driving under the influence of alcohol.  

Since the applicant’s request for relief was based in part on matters relating to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 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 contended his one-time marijuana use was a form of self-medication to deal with his PTSD.  He believed he could handle everything on his own and declined to participate in counseling because he did not want to relive the event that caused his PTSD.  The applicant received a 70 percent evaluation from the VA for his PTSD (with alcohol use and major depressive disorder) and has received care through the VA since separating.  He is taking all prescribed medications, participates in Alcoholics Anonymous, and has been sober for three years.  He requested the upgrade in an effort to use the G.I. Bill for education benefits and to obtain better employment.  

Based upon a thorough review of the applicant’s service record and his personal testimony, the board did not find evidence of impropriety.  However, the board majority concluded the discharge was inequitable.  It determined relief was warranted based on the applicant’s personal problems, which significantly detracted from his capability to serve satisfactorily.  More specifically, the majority concluded the applicant’s PTSD and other mental health disorders were mitigating factors in his incidents of misconduct, which were all related to alcohol and drug abuse.
   
After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the board majority concluded mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct and discharge.

CONCLUSION:  The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was inequitable.  Therefore, the board majority determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service should be upgraded to Honorable and the narrative reason charge was more accurately described as Secretarial Authority.  Additionally, it determined the reenlistment eligibility code should be changed to 2C.  

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 25 Oct 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