AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2021-00288	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 7 August 2019 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct. 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 30 September 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, 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’s record of service included an Article 15 and a Letter of Counseling. Her misconduct included:  failure to report and being absent from her place of duty.

Due to evidence of  post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  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 is requesting a change in character of service. She stated that she was and still is struggling with PTSD, mental illness and the sexual/physical assault of her ex-husband.  The applicant stated that instead of trying to give her assistance her commander and squadron told her she could accept the Article 15 and separation or she could fight the decision and be court martialed and possibly charged with a felony.  She stated that since she has obtained assistance from the VA and she is working on bettering herself.  She stated she would like to attend college and is hoping to overturn her discharge characterization to honorable.  She stated that this will allow her to go to college using the benefits she earned while serving.

The Board reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and the statements the applicant provided.  There was no evidence of impropriety or inequity surrounding the conditions of the applicant’s discharge that warrant any changes to the discharge.  

After a thorough review of the service record and considering the input from the Board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, the DRB found that the applicant’s mental health condition was a mitigating factor to some  to the applicant's misconduct, however, it could not completely explain or excuse the misconduct sufficiently to warrant upgrading the discharge.

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 14 October 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)