AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2020-00534	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 27 Mar 2020 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a(n) General discharge for Pattern of Misconduct.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 24 Sep 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/ 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 her discharge characterization to Honorable, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C.

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 several Article 15’s. Her misconduct included:  on diverse occasions unlawfully struck an Airman in the face/grabbed throat with hands; willfully failed to remain within dormitory while in quarters; willfully failed to refrain from entering dorm room of a member of the opposite sex.

Due to evidence of  mental health condition/s 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/improper.  She states that her disciplinary actions were isolated offenses and that her conduct/efficiency rating were mostly good.  Her ability to serve was impaired by psychiatric problems due to her use of alcohol.  She completed the treatment programs provided to her as contingency to her disciplinary actions.  Her offenses were isolated and only occurred off duty due to her personal issues.  She opines that her leadership were biased and did not understand her situation since she was in an all-male career field.  Due to the sexist environment, she had made formal complaints prior to receiving her separation paperwork and felt that she was forced out as an act to cover up her unit’s wrongdoings.  She sought out all medical/behavioral health for her issues and was prescribed medication.  Since her discharge, she has improved her personal situation and continues to be proactive about her mental health.

The DRB recognized the applicant served over 03 years before the discharge and reviewed the applicant’s entire service record.  The DRB determined that, through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command in this case, the applicant had ample opportunities to change her negative behavior.  It found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge and that the seriousness of the applicant’s willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of her service.  

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

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate her contentions, the board recommends she 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 her request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 7 Dec 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)