AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00074	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 8 Jul 10 with a Bad Conduct Discharge after being convicted during a Special Court-Martial.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to General or Honorable and a change to her discharge narrative reason.  The board was conducted on 1 Feb 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 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 upgrade the applicant’s discharge characterization to General, to change the discharge narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority,” and to change her reenlistment eligibility code to “2B.”

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 Counseling, one Letter of Reprimand, an Article 15, and a Special Court-Martial conviction.  Her misconduct included:  failing a dormitory inspection (x2), being late for duty, disobeying a no contact order, inhaling an aerosol propellant, and wrongfully using marijuana, psilocybin, and dextromethorphan.  

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma, and other mental health conditions 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 the Article 15 she received lacked sufficient evidence and exceeded the scope of punishment allowed by the deployed commander.  She also contended the discharge was inequitable because her PTSD and mental health conditions degraded her capability to function at the same level as other Airmen.  She stated she began her substance abuse to help ease the pain and symptoms associated with her PTSD.  

Upon review of an applicant’s Bad Conduct Discharge as adjudged by a Special Court-Martial, the DRB may change the punitive discharge to an administrative discharge for the purposes of clemency, if warranted.  The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found sufficient evidence to support its decision to grant clemency.  More specifically, the board noted the applicant’s history of childhood emotional and sexual abuse, substance abuse issues, PTSD, military sexual trauma, and other mental health conditions as reasons for granting clemency.  

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found evidence that mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct and discharge.

CONCLUSION:  The DRB voted to change the applicant’s punitive discharge to an administrative discharge as an act of clemency.  It changed the applicant’s discharge characterization to General, the discharge narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority,” and the reenlistment eligibility code to “2B.”

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 16 Mar 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