AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00463	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 24 Aug 15 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to his discharge narrative reason, and a change to his reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 1 Mar 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 not represented by counsel.   

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the board included a member who is a 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 his discharge characterization to Honorable, to change his discharge narrative reason, and to change his 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:  one Article 15, one vacation of suspended nonjudicial punishment, three Letters of Reprimand, and two Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included:  failure to return to the local area after leave, failure to coordinate a meal break with a co-worker, which compromised base security (x2), failure to go to his appointed place of duty at the appointed time (x2), absenting himself from his place of duty without authority (x2), and making a false official statement with the intent to deceive (x2).
 
Due to evidence of a mental health condition found in the applicant’s medical record, the board considered the case based on the liberal consideration standards required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and/or 10 USC §1553.

The applicant contended the discharge was unfair and does not reflect the nature of his service.  He indicated he had a difficult time adjusting to his regular duties after returning from a deployment.  He also stated his service was exemplary until he came back from the deployment.  The applicant requested the upgrades in an attempt to return to military service.

The DRB noted the applicant's duty performance as documented by his performance reports, awards and decorations, and other accomplishments.  However, it determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his negative behavior and concluded the seriousness of his willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service.  

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

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 his request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 10 Apr 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