AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2017-00458	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 24 Mar 2016 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Fraudulent Entry.  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 13 Sept 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 approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable and to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial. The board unanimously voted to deny to change the reenlistment eligibility code.

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 for Fraudulent Entry.

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 the discharge was improper because while in therapy the counselor broke confidentiality and reported to leadership that he had depression issues as a youth resulting in a discharge for fraudulent entry.  

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire record and found evidence that the applicant provided previous psychiatric history during the intake process and it was vetted and cleared through the Military Entrance Processing Station.  DRB also determined that the applicant’s rights were violated when the counselor released confidential information to leadership.
CONCLUSION:  

 The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated any inequity.  The board found that sufficient evidence existed that the discharge was improper as an error in procedure associated with the discharge at the time of issuance; and that the rights of the applicant were prejudiced.  Therefore, the board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable condition and the discharge narrative reason was more accurately described as “Secretarial Authority.”   The board did not change the reenlistment eligibility code.    

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 19 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