AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00446

GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 29 July 2016 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Adjustment Disorder.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her discharge characterization to Honorable.  The Board was conducted on 7 December 2021.

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 and to change the RE code. However, the DRB unanimously approved to change the discharge narrative reason to “Condition not a Disability.”  

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.  

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 10 USC §1553.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant requested an upgrade to her discharge based on her mental health condition that adversely impacted her ability to successfully continue in the Air Force.  A review of the record revealed the applicant reported to the Mental Health Clinic while attending Basic Training for anxiety and stress.  She was admitted to the hospital and was subsequently diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder, anxiety, and depression.  Her medical providers determined her condition did not meet retention standards and recommended she be discharged.  She was in her second week of training, therefore, was discharged with an Entry Level Separation for Adjustment Disorder.

CONCLUSION:  The Board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  The DRB concluded, 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.  However, per guidance from the Department of Defense, the DRB changed the applicant’s original narrative reason from “Adjustment Disorder” to “Condition not a Disability.” The board did not upgrade the reenlistment eligibility code.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 12 December 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)