AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT CASE NUMBER FD-2020-00550 The applicant was discharged on 04 June 2016 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge for Unsatisfactory Participation. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable/General. The board was conducted on 08 October 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. Due to evidence of 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 DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant's request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable/General, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C / 3K. 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 contended the discharge was improper. Member states the time period of unsatisfactory participation does not reflect the total character of his service. He says that that period of time was one of the most challenging of his life. Member mentions struggling with mental health and personal issues. He states that he's truly sorry. He has since then redefined his life and will always represent the core values of the USAF. He also mentions that he has several certifications that directly reflect the integrity he gained from being a part of the USAF. The DRB took note of the applicant's duty performance as documented by his performance reports, awards and decorations, and other accomplishments. It found the seriousness of the applicant's willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service. The DRB was pleased to see the applicant has been successful since leaving the Air Force. However, the board reviewed the applicant's entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant any changes to the discharge. Upon review of the applicant's service record, the board was not able to find any documentation regarding the discharge. Since the board relies on the presumption of regularity, it concluded the discharge received by the applicant was 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. 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 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)