AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00256	
					
The applicant was discharged on 22 Feb 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, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The Board was conducted on 14 Sep 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 vacation of suspended nonjudicial punishment, and of Letters of Reprimand.  His misconduct included: failed to report to duty at the time prescribed; assaulted another, causing him to fall and lose consciousness; without authority, go from appointed place of duty; disobeyed lawful order; assaulted another by pushing and jabbing his chest with hand and backing him into a corner; disorderly conduct, arrested and released after posting bond.

The applicant states that he was diagnosed with PTSD by the VA, and explains that through a network of people, he learned about how PTSD was negatively impacting him prior to seeking guidance. He further explains that during his time as a security forces member and after deploying to Iraq, he would have episodes of depression and would become anxious without an identifiable cause. Additionally he states that he experienced unexplainable behavior changes and affected family and relationships. He states that around the time of the discharge, he was not experiencing the PTSD side effects but he was unsure of what was occurring mentally. He explains that at the height of the symptoms, he lacked understanding of what was occurring within him, he began to act out and behave outside of the norm. He states he is asking for an upgrade to honorable based on the facts of mental illness, improper recognition and inadequate treatment that resulted in him making unfavorable decisions and being discharged. 

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge. The Board 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. After 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. Based on the evidence from the applicant’s medical record, at the “snapshot in time” of his service, he was not exhibiting any symptoms of a mental health condition that would have caused or mitigated his misconduct. Additionally, the applicant’s most serious offenses included two separate incidents of violence against other people which is excluded from the intent of liberal consideration. The characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate.
 
CONCLUSION:  
The Board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  Therefore, the Board deemed the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate and did not approve his request. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 21 September 2021.  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  
Instructions on how to appeal an AFDRB decision can be found at 
https://afrbaportal.azurewebsites.us

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)