AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00079	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 29 Jun 18 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for 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 unanimously to deny the applicant’s request 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 one Article 15 and three Letters of Reprimand.  Her misconduct included:  failure to go at time prescribed to appointed place of duty (x2); with intent to deceive, made a false official statement; failure to report for duty in the correct uniform; failure to refrain from driving while under the influence of alcohol; failure in Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Treatment (ADAPT); destruction of property; and failure to adhere to a no contact order. 

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant is requesting the change in order to return to military service.

The board reviewed the applicant’s entire record, and discovered a clerical error on the DD214.  The board noted the discharge characterization on the DD214 reflects Honorable.  However, the board found that all of the documentation regarding the discharge reflect the characterization as General.  The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change her negative behavior.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions she made during her Air Force career.    

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 reenlistment code received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and her request was not approved.  The board will correct the DD214 to reflect the correct discharge characterization.

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