AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00521	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 4 Feb 13 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, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 20 Sep 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 3K.

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 15’s, and one Letter of Reprimand.  His misconduct included:  failure to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages while under the age of 21; failure to adhere to curfew; failure to refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages within 12 hours of scheduled take-off; and keyed the privately owned vehicle of a civilian after consuming an unknown amount of alcohol. 

Due to evidence of alcohol abuse diagnosis 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 inequitable because personal problems impaired his ability to serve.  The applicant states that youth, immaturity, and being away from family took a toll on his personal life.  The applicant states that the discharge was unfair because it should have provided him the option to return to service if he chose.  He believes that he was an above average airman, and the isolated events do not define his service overall.  

The DRB recognized that the applicant was 24 years of age when the discharge took place.  The Board opined that the applicant was no younger than the vast majority of first-term members who properly adhere to Air Force standards of conduct.  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.  The DRB concluded that the characterization of the applicant’s service was appropriate due to the misconduct.

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 equitable and his request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 24 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