AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00448	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 21 May 18 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level discharge for Adjustment Disorder.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The board was conducted on 13 Aug 20.  

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, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.  However, the DRB voted unanimously to approve the request to change the narrative reason to Secretarial Authority. 

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 did not include any disciplinary actions. 

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 made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant states that he was home sick during training because it was his first time away from and his family, and was displeased with the AFSC he was assigned.  He states that he exaggerated the answers on a mental health evaluation, and regrets the decision.  The applicant states that he was evaluated after his separation and was found to not have a mental or physical condition that would hinder his reentry into the military.  He is requesting the upgrade in order to return to military service in the Navy.  

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire record and found that he voluntarily sought mental health treatment and requested to separate from the Air Force to multiple individuals.  Per guidance from the Department of Defense, applicant requests to change the narrative reason should be approved when the original narrative reason was Adjustment/Personality Disorder and there were no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct.  The board determined the facts in this case met the criteria and, therefore approved the applicant’s request to change the narrative reason.  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.  In accordance with DoDI 6130.03 does not allow for re-enlistment due to his past history of mental health conditions/treatment.  

After a thorough review of the service record and input from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found that the applicant’s mental health condition was a mitigating factor, however, it could not sufficiently to warrant upgrading the discharge.

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 25 Aug 20.  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)