AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00478	
					
The applicant was discharged on 16 Mar 2006 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Entry Level Performance or Conduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 16 Jun 2020.  The applicant was represented by counsel.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), with counsel, via video teleconference using VIDYO Cloud Connect between Joint Base Andrews, MD, and applicant’s location on 16 Jun 2020.  No witnesses were present and testified on the applicant’s behalf.  

Pursuant to 10 USC §1553, the board included a member who is a psychiatrist/ psychologist 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 upgrade her discharge characterization to Honorable.

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 an Article 15, a Letter of Reprimand, and other administrative counseling documents.  Her misconduct included:  dereliction of duty, failure to obey a no contact order, and adultery.    

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 inequitable and improper because she was suffering from depression and she was mistreated and misunderstood by her leadership.  She asserts her mental health was deteriorating as she was going through a divorce and fighting for custody of her daughter.  She further asserts she was involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric ward, wrongly interrogated, and encouraged to write a false statement regarding the nature of her relationship with her instructor.  A review of the applicant’s military record revealed she was discharged at technical training for a pattern of misconduct for having an extra-marital affair with a non-commissioned officer, making false official statements, and violating a no-contact order.  The unit determined she was unsuitable for the Security Forces career field and the Air Force because she was unable to adapt to the military environment and had frequent and continued disciplinary and behavioral problems.  

After a thorough review of the service record and input from the board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, the DRB found that the applicant’s mental health condition was a mitigating factor to the applicant's misconduct, however, it could not completely explain or excuse the misconduct sufficiently to warrant upgrading the discharge.  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.  Furthermore, in accordance with AFI 36-3208, Airmen are in entry level status during the first 180 days of continuous active military service.  If separated during this time, they normally receive an Entry Level Separation that is not characterized.  Because it is Air Force policy to not characterize this type of separation, the applicant’s request to “upgrade” it to Honorable could not be approved.  Finally, a request to change an administrative discharge to a medical discharge is outside the scope of authority of the DRB.  Should the applicant elect to continue to pursue a medical discharge, she is encouraged to exercise her right to appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records. 

CONCLUSION:  The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  Therefore, the discharge 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 22 Jun 2020.  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)