AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00176	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 17 Jun 15 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge for Failure to Meet Financial Obligations.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 28 Aug 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 unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 6J.

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 three Letters of Reprimand, and five Letters of Counseling.  His misconduct included:  failure to obey a lawful order; failure to complete Career Development Course; gross misuse of government travel card; made a false statement; failure to pay debt (x2); failure to inform chain of command of pending court actions due to civilian arrest and incarceration for multiple misdemeanor and summary charges; arrested and convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, and illegally possessing a firearm.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant states that he was immature and dealing with personal issues.  He is requesting the upgrade in an effort to return to military service.

The applicant believed he deserved a second chance despite his misconduct in order to have the opportunity to serve in the military again.  The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his negative behavior.  It found the seriousness of the applicant’s willful 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 Sep 18.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  Air Force Review Boards Agency, Attn: Discharge Review Board, 1500 West Perimeter road, Suite 3700, Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602.

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief