AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00519	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 5 Jun 13 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Other).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 21 Sep 17.  

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 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 4 to 1 to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable. 

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 narrative 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 four Letters of Reprimand and four Letters of Counseling.  Her misconduct included:  a civilian arrest for failure to appear in court, failure to report for duty, failure to follow proper radiological exam procedures, providing the wrong contrast media to a doctor, failure to maintain an in-house pager, an off-base arrest for DUI, failure to transmit patient CT exams in a timely manner, and failure to show up for duty on time.

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because she was discriminated against during her military career.  She also asserted she was acquitted of a charge that she drove on base when her driving privileges had been suspended.  

The DRB carefully considered the applicant’s contention that she was discriminated against.  However, after completing a full review of her military record and the documents she provided with her application, it did not find significant evidence to support this claim.  It also determined that, through the multiple administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change her negative behavior.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions she made during her Air Force career.    

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.

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 24 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