AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00028	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 9 Sep 15 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 18 Oct 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 unanimously 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 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 three Letters of Reprimand and two Letters of Counseling.  Her misconduct included:  misuse of a government travel card and failure to attend Fitness Improvement Program sessions.  The applicant also failed two fitness assessments, failed to report for mandatory ADAPT appointments, and failed to complete the ADAPT program.    

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to childhood sexual trauma found in the applicant’s medical record, the board considered the case based on the liberal consideration standard required by 10 USC §1553.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  She was seeking an upgrade of her service characterization in an effort to obtain G.I. Bill benefits.

The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change her negative behavior, meet standards, and get assistance to overcome her substance abuse problems.  The board understood the applicant’s present service characterization renders her ineligible for Department of Veteran Affairs education benefits.  However, this is not a matter of inequity or impropriety which would warrant an upgrade.  

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 15 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