AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00691	
					
The applicant was discharged on 14 Jun 12 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.  The board was conducted on 4 Feb 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 unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change 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 an Article 15, a Letter of Reprimand, and a Letter of Counseling. His misconduct included:  made a false official statement with the intent to deceive; failure to go at time prescribed to place of duty; dereliction of duty; failure to obey a lawful order; failure to pay just debts. 

Due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health conditions 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 member states that he had undiagnosed PTSD from a deployment. He states he performed weather duties that exposed him to atrocities the Taliban committed on the civilian population. The member explained that his unit performed MEDAVACs for the local populace and he had witnessed the suffering. He continues to say that this led him to not trust people and ultimately hurt his career. He states that prior to the deployment he had very good performance. The member states that he believes he was removed from service too quickly without the possibility of seeking help from a mental health professional. The member explains that the discharge given to him has harmed him and does not reflect who he is and the difficulties he faces with PTSD. He states that he was out-processed too fast and a family practice doctor stated his separation was not due to PTSD. He goes on to state that he was discharged before he had a chance to see a mental health professional who could evaluate him. 

The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change his negative behavior.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career.    
The characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate.
 
After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, the DRB found no conclusive indication that any mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge. After he was discharged from service, there was no records of any post service mental health treatment. It appeared he received disability compensation from the VA for PTSD but the rationale for this diagnosis was not reported. The applicant’s multiple personal statements at the snapshot in time of service in response to his reprimands and discharge notification made no mention of any mental health issues. Coupled with this information and no rationale or objective evidence of traumatic events, there is insufficient evidence to support his request. He claimed he was misdiagnosed in service, but there was no evidence to corroborate this claim.

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or directly 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 his request was not approved. 

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