AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00391 	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 1 September 2011 in accordance with AFR 35-41 Vol 3 with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge characterization and his Narrative Reason for Separation was Miscellaneous Reasons.  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 not 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 contended that his discharge was improper because it was not an accurate depiction of his military service.  He stated he discovered a false and unethical narrative pertaining to his separation.  He stated that this false narrative has been removed from the entire VA system, now he wants the DOD to update his discharge correctly.  He stated that he served honorably from 2001 – 2010, and his discharge should be characterized as such.

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire record and did not find any evidence to indicate an error in the applicant’s discharge process.  There is no evidence the applicant was misdiagnosed or falsely diagnosed. The applicant was requesting to have a mental health record removed from his medical record and to have his discharge upgraded to Honorable. The applicant did not present any evidence that it was not him that participated in the assessment that resulted in the diagnosis. The applicant was discharged due to "miscellaneous reasons"; there is no evidence the applicant's medical or mental health conditions caused his discharge. The Board concluded the discharge received by the applicant was appropriate.   

If the applicant can provide evidence that documentation regarding the discharge is inaccurate, the applicant can appeal to the DRB for a personal appearance board.  The applicant’s request to have documents removed from his medical records is outside of the authority of the DRB.  The removal of the record, is an issue that the applicant can appeal to the Board for Correction of Military Records.  

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.
 
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 proper and equitable. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service, the narrative reason for separation, and the reentry code shall not change. The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 14 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)