AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT CASE NUMBER FD-2020-00547 The applicant was discharged on 02 Jan 2020 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General Discharge for Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code. The board was conducted on 08 Oct 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 ยง1553, 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. 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. 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. Her misconduct included: Willfully failed to refrain from drinking under the legal age of 21 and physically controlling a vehicle while drunk. The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable/improper. Member states that the discharge was a result of multiple mental health issues that went undiagnosed. Her main concern is to change the characterization. She notes that her unit commander recommend that she has an Honorable discharge. She also contends that she was feeling severe symptoms of MH conditions but the stigma around MH scared her to get help. She states that she was also going through therapy for an injury and decided to go to MH, where she was diagnosed & placed on medication. While she was in the in-patient care, she states that the facility were more concerned with the finances they received than taking care of the patients; While there, she was placed on more medications; she contemplated suicide & had more detrimental thoughts than before. The DRB reviewed the applicant's entire service record and found insufficient evidence to grant the applicant's request. The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant's service outweighed the positive contributions she made during her Air Force career. The applicant's request for a change of re-entry code to allow for re-enlistment could not be supported due to current policies. Under DoDI 6130.03, Medical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Military Services, under Learning, Psychiatric, and Behavioral Condition, the applicant's reported history of mental health conditions or disorders prior to and during service are considered disqualifying conditions for induction into military service. 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. 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 15 Oct 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)