AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT CASE NUMBER FD-2019-00715 The applicant was discharged on 23 Jun 2014 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Serious Offense). The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, and a change to the discharge narrative reason. The board was conducted on 12 Feb 2020. 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 upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, and to change the discharge narrative reason. 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 two Article 15s. His misconduct included: damage to government property and violating a lawful general regulation. Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 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 based on the totality of the circumstances, and that the incident he was ultimately discharged for, occurred after his return from a deployment, and was a result of his undiagnosed PTSD and TBI. The applicant further contended his misconduct occurred in a small window of time, and should not detract from his otherwise 14 years of honorable service. 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. Furthermore, the DRB took note of the applicant's duty performance as documented by his performance reports, awards and decorations, and other accomplishments. It found the seriousness of the applicant's willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service. 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 his request was not approved. The DRB results were approved by the board president on 19 Feb 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)