AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2017-00578	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 18 Nov 16 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 8 Nov 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 4 to 1 to disapprove the applicant’s request to upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board voted 3 to 2 to deny the change to the reenlistment eligibility code. The board voted unanimously to deny the request to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority.  

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 four Letters of Reprimand and two Letters of Counselling for failure to obey, failure to go, not present or armed for work, appeared in a relaxed state of readiness and disrespected a Senior Airman, failure to utilize chain of command and an unprofessional relationship.

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 contended her discharge was improper because her medical condition wasn’t properly diagnosed and her discharge paperwork was tampered with prior to her discharge recommendation.  The board did not find evidence of tampering during the discharge process.  Additionally, the board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the contributions she made during her Air Force career and any mitigation by her mental health condition.

CONCLUSION:  The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated an impropriety or inequity.  Therefore, the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and her request was not approved. 

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.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 20 Nov 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