AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2016-00569	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 1 Apr 10 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable and a change to his discharge narrative reason.  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 4 to 1 to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable and to change his discharge narrative reason.

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.  His misconduct included:  unlawfully kicking a noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the face, unlawfully spitting in the face of an NCO, unlawfully pushing an Airman in the chest with his hands, resisting being apprehended by security forces personnel, and being drunk and disorderly.    

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 improper because he was not properly diagnosed or treated for bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.  He stated this resulted in his alcohol-related incidents while in the service because he was using alcohol to “self-medicate.”  

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and noted he received treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues from licensed professionals while on active duty.  More specifically, he participated in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment (ADAPT) program two times and also had impatient hospitalization for treatment.  However, he failed ADAPT due to drinking, not attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and failing to obtain a sponsor.  The board found no evidence of any impropriety or inequity to warrant any changes to the discharge. 

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 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