AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2020-00650	
					
The applicant was discharged on 21 Dec 16 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 21 Jan 21.  

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/ 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 2 to 1 to approve the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable and to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority. It voted unanimously to deny change to the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C / 3K.

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 several Letters of Reprimand, a few Letters of Counseling and a couple of Records of Individual Counseling.  His misconduct included: failed to report to place of duty at prescribed time; late to work; failed to establish procedures; failed to follow up with customer; failed dorm inspection; dereliction of duty; making false statements/dishonest on several occasions.

The applicant states no contentions. He states that he was overwhelmed with joining the Air Force. He goes on to state that his reluctance and inhibitions with communicating his fears to leadership kept him up at night and nervous at work. He states that he sought solace in the wrong activities and friends. The member states he wants to prove that he’s ready to take on a new challenge and that he’s learned from his mistakes. He states he now has the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform at or above the levels required of him. 

CONCLUSION:  
The board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated any inequity.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was improper.  Therefore, the board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge and the discharge narrative reason was more accurately described as “Secretarial Authority.” The board did not change the reenlistment eligibility code.    

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 22 Jan 21.  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)