AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00081	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 24 Jul 08 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Honorable discharge for Mental Disorder.  The applicant appealed for a change to his reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 27 Feb 20.  

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 change his reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.  However, the board voted unanimously to change the narrative reason to reflect 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 did not include any disciplinary actions. 

The applicant contended the reenlistment eligibility code was improper because it requires a medical evaluation.  The applicant insists that he received a medical evaluation prior to separation.  The applicant regrets separating from the military, and is requesting the change in order to return to military service.

The board reviewed the entire record and noted the applicant received the medical evaluation required prior to separation.  The board understood the applicant’s present reenlistment eligibility code renders him ineligible to return to military service.  The applicant’s request for a change of re-entry code to allow for re-enlistment could not be supported due to current policies. Under DoDI 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services, under Learning, Psychiatric, and Behavioral Condition, the applicant’s reported history of mental health conditions or disorders prior to and during service are considered disqualifying conditions for induction into military service. Liberal consideration is also not applied to the applicant’s petition due to his confession of mental health conditions prior to military service.  Per guidance from the Department of Defense, a change to the narrative reason should be approved when the original narrative reason was Mental/Adjustment/Personality Disorder and there were no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct.  The board determined the facts in this case met the criteria and, therefore approved the applicant’s request to change the narrative reason.  

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 reenlistment eligibility code.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the narrative reason was inequitable.  Therefore, the board determined the narrative reason was more accurately described as “Secretarial Authority.”  Additionally, the reenlistment eligibility code was changed to “2C.”

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 13 May 20.  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
3351 Celmers Lane
Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602  

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)