AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2022-00265	
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 23 July 2019, in accordance with AFI 36-3208, with a General discharge characterization and Narrative Reason for Separation, Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.

The applicant was represented by counsel and requested the board be completed based on a records only review.

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. 

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 requested an upgraded discharge from General to Honorable.  The applicant contends that his discharge was inequitable due to his mental health conditions.  The applicant stated that a fellow service member sexually assaulted him.  He stated that he developed major depressive disorder and PTSD.  The applicant stated that after PCS’ing to another duty location, he was still suffering and began to self-medicate with alcohol.  The applicant stated that he was discharged for failing alcohol rehabilitation.  The applicant stated that his discharge was inequitable compared to his service's overall length and quality and asked that the Board view his mental health conditions as a mitigating factor in his separation.

The DRB determined after a thorough review of the service record and input from the board’s psychologist, that the applicant’s mental health condition was a mitigating factor to the applicant's misconduct.  The condition contributed to the misconduct enough to warrant an upgrade to the discharge.

LIBERAL CONSIDERATION:
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 (LC) standards required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and 10 USC §1553. The Board included a member who is clinical psychologist.  Specifically, the Board reviewed the four questions the Under Secretary of Defense provided that boards should consider when weighing evidence in requests for modification of discharges due in whole or in part to mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); sexual assault, and sexual harassment. 

1. Did the veteran have a condition or experience that may excuse or mitigate the discharge? 

Yes. The applicant checked the boxes for “PTSD”. “Other mental health” and “sexual assault/harassment” on the application. The applicant, through counsel, contended “While stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea, he was sexually assaulted by a fellow service member. As a result of the sexual assault, he developed major depressive disorder and PTSD. After a change in duty station to Mildenhall, England, the symptoms of his mental health conditions became unbearable, and he began self-medicating with alcohol.”  

2. Did that condition exist/experience occur during military service? 

Yes. Based on a review of the applicant’s records, there is evidence the applicant sought and received mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment during his time in service. 

3. Does that condition or experience actually excuse or mitigate the discharge? 

Yes. Based on review of the available records, the applicant’s contended experience of MST occurred in/around 2012. There is evidence the applicant’s pattern of maladaptive alcohol use began after this time period. The applicant’s testimony is substantiated by evidence in the applicant’s in-service and post-service records that indicated the applicant was experiencing marked distress subsequent to his experience of sexual assault. There is evidence the applicant’s mental health condition (although likely not his experience of MST) was known to the applicant’s chain of command, was considered during the applicant’s discharge process and may have mitigated his discharge. 

4. Does that condition, or experience outweigh the discharge? 

Yes. The applicant sought out assistance with ADAPT to help deal with his alcoholism.  Unfortunately, he was unable to complete the ADAPT sessions due to it not helping alleviate the condition he was dealing with.  The applicant made the effort to get help.  

Additionally, the Board considered the factors laid out in the attachment to the Under Secretary of Defense memorandum, Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations, dated 25 June 2018, known as the “Wilkie Memo.”

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to approve 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.

CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s issues, summary of service, service/medical record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was inequitable. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall change to “Honorable”, the narrative reason for separation shall change to “Secretarial Authority” and the reentry code change to “2C”. The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 25 October 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)