AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2019-00638-2	
					
The applicant was discharged on 30 Nov 2015 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 7 Jul 2020.  

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 7 Jul 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 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 vacation of suspended nonjudicial punishment, and multiple Letters of Reprimand.  Her misconduct included:  failure to report for duty and absent from her place of duty.

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 because mitigating and extenuating factors contributed to her discharge from the Air Force.  The applicant asserted she felt overwhelmed by her work environment that caused her to experience severe stress and led to her mental health issues.  Additionally, she claims she was experiencing a sleep disorder and was denied the opportunity to have a sleep study.  The applicant believes it is reasonable that her mental health issues and her undiagnosed sleep disorder led to her tardiness to work and ultimately to her discharge.  

A review of the applicant’s record revealed she received intermittent mental health and medical services.  She reported having occupational stressors and her duty schedule contributed to her having sleep issues and marital problems.  She relayed during her personal hearing that her marital problems were the main source of her mental health issues and led to her deteriorated duty performance.  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, since it was derivative of her personal life, and not aggravated by her military duty, it could not completely explain or excuse the misconduct sufficiently to warrant upgrading the discharge.  

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 17 Jul 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)