AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00543

The applicant was discharged on 12 September 2016 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  The applicant appealed for a change to his discharge narrative reason.  The Board was conducted on 4 January 2022.  

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 or 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 multiple Letters of Reprimand and Counseling.  His misconduct included:  failure to report for duty, failure to obey orders and dereliction of duty.  

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.  He claimed that his father disowned him when he joined the military which caused him to have severe depression and anxiety.  He further claimed he sought medical assistance and was prescribed medication which he had to cease taking due to side effects.   

A review of the applicant’s medical record revealed evidence the applicant sought mental health treatment during his time in service.  The applicant reported stressors related to family relations, specifically his father, and difficulty performing his duties due to poor concentration related to ongoing stress of relational strain and poor occupational performance leading to disciplinary actions.  The applicant disclosed a pre-service history of a diagnosis of autism, as well as an abusive relationship with his father.  After treatment and evaluation the applicant was diagnosed with a personality disorder, which is an unsuiting mental health condition.  
The applicant also claimed to have adverse side effects from his prescribed medications.  

The DRB determined the applicant did not provide any evidence, and there was no documentation by mental health providers, that the applicant experienced, adverse side effects to his medications that would have caused or mitigated the misconduct that led to his discharge.

After a thorough review of the service record and input from the Board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, the DRB found that it was possible the applicant’s personality disorder caused or contributed to his misconduct that led to his discharge, but determined the condition did 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 his request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 17 January 2022.  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)