AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2022-00370	
					
SUMMARY:  The applicant was discharged on 7 November 2007 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Honorable discharge for Personality Disorder.  The applicant appealed for a change to the discharge narrative reason.

The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

The applicant 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 contended that while she was stationed overseas at her first duty station she was sexually harassed multiple times and also sexually assaulted by her supervisor.  She further contended that her supervisor was publicly accused of sexual assault on another female employee, but no significant adverse action was taken against the supervisor.  She claimed she never reported the harassment and assault against her because she was afraid to do so because of the disparities in rank between herself and her supervisor.  She instead requested her military therapist provide a recommendation for her separation from the Air Force in order to protect herself.  Additionally, she claimed she also did not know of the resources available to her.  She requested her narrative reason be changed in the interest of equity.  

A review of the applicant’s record revealed she was discharged for a personality disorder that interfered with her duty performance.  There was no evidence of any misconduct in her record.  

LIBERAL CONSIDERATION:

While this case involves a mental health condition and would normally require a liberal consideration review, this is a presumptive grant because the Narrative Reason for Separation contains sensitive information (i.e. diagnostic disclosures) that are no longer used as of 2018.  In accordance with 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, the change to the Narrative Reason for Separation is appropriate based on a change in policy.

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to approve changing the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority.  The DRB also voted unanimously to deny changing the reenlistment eligibility code to 3K.
 
CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s issues, summary of service, service and medical records, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was inequitable.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall not change, the narrative reason for separation shall change to Secretarial Authority, and the reentry code shall not change.  The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 10 November 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)