AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00477	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 10 Feb 14 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Drug Abuse).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 12 Jul 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 approve the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable.  It also voted 4 to 1 to change her discharge narrative reason to “Secretarial Authority” and to change her reenlistment eligibility code to “2C.”

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 one Letter of Reprimand and one Letter of Counseling.  Her misconduct included using marijuana and failing a dormitory room inspection.
 
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 denied ever using marijuana and claims she never failed a urinalysis test.  She stated she was accused of using marijuana based on the statements of other Airmen during an Office of Special Investigations investigation.  More specifically, she had a close relationship with an Airmen who was identified as a key user and supplier of marijuana, so the assumption was that she used marijuana also.  
  
The DRB noted that in response to her Letter of Reprimand, the applicant admitted to knowing that the Airman she was accused of using marijuana with was doing so, but did not tell anyone because they were friends.  However, the board majority did not believe there was sufficient evidence to support her General discharge based on drug abuse.  It determined the discharge was inequitable and concluded the actions of members of the applicant’s chain of command constituted an abuse of authority.  While these actions did not amount to prejudicial error, they contributed to the decision to discharge the applicant and her service characterization.  

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 neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was inequitable.  Therefore, the board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service should be changed to Honorable, her discharge narrative reason should be changed to “Secretarial Authority,” and her reenlistment eligibility code should be changed to “2C.”
 
The DRB results were approved by the board president on 31 Aug 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