AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  	CASE NUMBER

FD-2021-00243	
					
The applicant was discharged on 14 June 2018 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level/Uncharacterized discharge for Secretarial Authority.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The Board was conducted on 24 Aug 2021.  

The applicant was represented by counsel.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), via video teleconference using Zoom on 24 Aug 2021.  No witnesses were present to testify on the applicant’s behalf. The following additional exhibits were submitted at the hearing:  character reference letters and college transcripts.

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 and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 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 contended the discharge was inequitable because the basis of the discharge was due to a diagnosis that was based on an isolated incident and adjustment disorder, is definitionally, a temporary stress induced condition and that the discharge was inequitable given the totality of the circumstances.

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.  

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. 

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge. After a thorough review of the service record and input from the Board’s psychiatrist/psychologist, the DRB did not find sufficient evidence that would substantiate changing the applicant’s RE code. 

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right directly appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for the 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 1 Sep 21.  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)