AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00477	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 21 April 2008 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level Separation and the Narrative Reason for Discharge was Member Has Not Completed Frist Full Term of Service. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of her 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 record 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 the discharge was inequitable and improper.  The applicant stated she was discharged for a reason beyond her control.  She stated that she was approved to enlist in the Air Force in 2008.  She stated that she had surgery on her right knee that required her to get screws inserted.  She stated that her recruiter was aware of the situation and MEPS had her perform special exercises that allowed her to enter with screws in her knee.  She stated that one week into BMT, she was asked if she had any metal in her body, and she said yes.  She stated that she was sent to medical and told she would not be able to complete her training because she would be a liability later.  She stated that she was not allowed to speak to a liaison while on base, and since then, she has been trying to get her discharge changed.      

The DRB reviewed the applicant’s service and medical records. The Board determined that due to the applicant’s knee pain at the time of discharge and the existence of the hardware in her knee, she does not meet medical accession standards for the military.  The applicant’s leadership appropriately applied medical standards in the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s discharge. The Board found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant any changes to the discharge.  

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 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. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service, the narrative reason for separation and the reentry code shall not change.  If the applicant has evidence to indicate the condition is resolved, she can submit additional information and request a personal appearance hearing before the DRB. The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 21 December 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)