AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2019-00454	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 01 Oct 2004 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a(n) Honorable discharge for Pregnancy and Childbirth.  The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason to “Hardship”.  The board was conducted on 22 Oct 2019.  

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.    

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 deny the applicant’s request to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority.  The board can only change the narrative reasoning’s 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 contended the discharge was inequitable because it did not consider the simultaneous hardships that were occurring with her at the time.  She states that a couple of her family members passed away within a short timeframe of each other and found out about her pregnancy during this time.  In addition, she was also left to be a single mother and was dealing with these hardships on her own.  She points out a change to the regulation authorizing women to separate within 12 months post pregnancy, instead of prior to the birth.  She believes that the previous rule created an extremely rushed timeline for her decision to continue in the military, therefore, the narrative change to “Hardship” better reflects her military service.  After a thorough review of the record, the board found no evidence to justify making any changes to the narrative reasoning.

Upon review of the applicant’s service record, the board was not able to find any documentation regarding the discharge because she voluntarily separated from service.  Since the board relies on the presumption of regularity, it concluded the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate.  

CONCLUSION:  

The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s narrative reasoning and an Honorable discharge currently reflects on her record.  Therefore, the narrative reasoning received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and her request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 4 Apr 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)