AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00072	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 28 Feb 14 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Drug Abuse).  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 22 Aug 19.  

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 3 to 2 to approve 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 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 Article 15.  His misconduct included: wrongful use of cocaine; absent himself from place of duty; and with intent to deceive, made a false official statement.  

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and 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 inequitable because he suffered from PTSD, and three concussions that resulted in TBI during military service.  The applicant states that he deployed to Afghanistan and witnessed child sex slavery, suicide bombings, and various forms of torture.  The applicant states that his job required him to interrogate young boys that he knew after release would be killed or further sexually abused.  The applicant points to an event when he survived a truck explosion that killed 30 civilians and five airmen.  The applicant insists the events during the employment brought up childhood memories that he suffered through and witnessed.  The applicant states that he began to abuse alcohol, and drugs in order to cope.  The applicant states that he voluntarily reported to Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment (ADAPT) and was placed in in-patient treatment for 35 days.  The applicant insists that he was diagnosed with PTSD, offered an Article 15, and discharged for drug abuse.  The applicant insists that he has remained sober and active in his 12 step recovery program since the discharge.  The applicant completed his Master’s Degree in National Security Studies, and is currently employed as Head of Analysis for Osprey Flight Solutions.  The applicant states that he is active in the community through coaching football and working with the Cub Scouts.  

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s complete record and found that the discharge authority approved his request for a conditional waiver based on the strength of his military service record.  The board found that the applicant’s misconduct occurred after his return from a deployment to Afghanistan.  The board determined that PTSD affected the applicant’s ability to serve satisfactorily, as well as the ability to adjust to military service.  The board concluded that relief was warranted on the basis of inequity.

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 was more accurately reflected by an Honorable, 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 29 Aug 19.  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