AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT	CASE NUMBER

FD-2017-00359	

GENERAL: The applicant was discharged on 18 Dec 14 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.  The board was conducted on 2 Nov 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 his 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 two Article 15s. His misconduct included: bringing a guest to his dormitory room who was under the age of 18, having a guest in his dormitory room during curfew hours, serving alcohol to an individual under the age of 21, and operating a Government Owned Vehicle (GOV) without a valid driver’s license.

Since the applicant’s request for relief was based in part on matters relating to a mental health condition, 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.

The applicant contended a post service mental health diagnosis helps explain his misconduct while he was serving in the Air Force. He believed he had a “manic episode” at the time, which contributed toward the “irrational actions” that led to his discharge.

The board members noted the applicant had no history of mental health treatment during his service and did not claim any medical or mental health issues during his separation exam. While it acknowledged documentation submitted by the applicant supporting his mental health diagnosis, the board majority did not see a clear connection between his condition and the misconduct that led to his discharge. It also concluded the seriousness of the applicant’s 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 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 6 Dec 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