Reeder v. James

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
GEORGE WILLIAM REEDER,
Plaintiff,
v. Civil Action No. 14-01871 (TFH)
THE HONORABLE DEBORAH LEE
JAMES, Secretary of the Air Force,
Defendant.
MEMORANDL M OPINION
Plaintiff George William Reeder (“Reeder”) served in the United States Air Force from
1982 until 1998. He met and married fellow Air Force member Staff Sergeant Linda Graybill
(“Graybill”) while serving at lncirlik Air Base in Turkey. Unfortunately, by all accounts, their
relationship was dysfunctional and abusive. During the marriage, Graybill accused Reeder of
giving her a black eye, and Reeder’s commander found him guilty of that offense. Later, Reeder
was found guilty of additional offenses related to the aftermath of the first offense. After being
honorably discharged from the Air Force, Reeder appealed to the Air Force Board for Correction
of Military Records (“‘AFBCMR” or “the Board”)1 seeking review of the commander’s
I “The AFBCMR is the highest level of administrative review within the Department of the Air
Force.” Frequently Asked Questions, AF Board/0r Correction of Military Records,
http://www.afpc.af.mil/afveteraninformation/airforceboardforcorrectionofmilitaryrecords/faq.asp
(last visited Aug. 13, 2015). “The Board operates within the Office of the Secretary of the Air
Force, and consists ofcivilians in the executive part of the Department of the Air Force who are
appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary of the Air Force.” Id.
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decisions. The AFBCMR upheld the commander’s decisions, and Reeder then filed this lawsuit
seeking review of the AFBCMR’S decisions under the Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”).
I. BACKGROUND
A. Reeder’s Relationship with Graybill, Allegations of Abuse, and Reeder’s First Non—
Judicial Punishment
Reeder enlisted in the United States Air Force and began active duty service on June 4,
1982. Am. Compl. 11 19 [ECF No. 11]. Reeder met Graybill on Thanksgiving Day, 1995; they
were married on June 18, 1996 and divorced on April 21, 1997. Am. Compl. 11 24. On July 15,
1996, Major Roger Parsons, one of Reeder’s commanders, filed a letter of reprimand against
Reeder after Graybill alleged that he had damaged and disposed of some of his wife’s clothes
and photographs without her permission. See Administrative Record (“A.R.”) at 362. Reeder
denied those allegations, but later admitted that he gave away some men’s clothing he found in
Graybill’s apartment while she was away on a temporary duty assignment. See A.R. at 345.
On August 9, 1996, Graybill sustained a black eye. See A.R. at 176, 341. On August 15,
1996, Graybill reported to a military police officer that Reeder had punched her in the eye. See
AR. 176, 307.2 She also alleged that Reeder had beat her on their wedding night. 163.3 On
August 15, 1996, based on Graybill’s allegations, Reeder’s commander, Major Kobayashi,
issued an order directing Reeder to have no contact with Graybill (hereinafter referred to as “the
2 Graybill made a sworn statement the following day, August 16, 1996. AR. at 176; Am.
Compl. 11 26.
3 The administrative record contains multiple conflicting accounts about how both Reeder and
Graybill sustained injuries on their wedding night. Reeder, Graybill, and other witnesses all
recounted different versions of the events of that evening. Graybill reported to the military
police officer that Reeder had beat her on their wedding night, but Reeder was never found guilty
of this allegation. Therefore, this Court need not analyze the events of that evening.
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the possibility that he also abused his wife. Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. 26 [ECF No. 13]. The
Secretary also argues that the inconsistencies stemming from the events of Reeder and Graybill’s
wedding night and Reeder’s version of how Graybill sustained the black eye reduced Reeder’s
credibility before his commander. Id at 26—27. Finally, the Secretary contends that the
commander most likely took into account the evidence showing that Graybill was abusive
towards Reeder because Reeder’s punishment for the battery was initially suspended. Id. at 27—
28.
With respect to the no—contact order, Reeder argues that he did not intend to contact
Graybill, but rather, telephoned his mother—in—law. Pl.’s Cross-Mot. Summ. J . 39—40, 42. The
Secretary argues that Reeder’s argument is frivolous because he admitted to violating the no—
contact order and talking to his wife for fifteen to twenty minutes. Id. at 29; see also Def.’s Opp.
to Pl.’s Cross—Mot. Summ. J. 16-18 [ECF No. 19]; see also AR. at 64.
The AFBCMR’S 2013 decision stated that it considered the evidence submitted by
Reeder, the cases cited by Reeder’s counsel, and the advisory opinions provided by Air Force
Legal Services Agency (“AFLSA”). See A.R. at 3-4. The Board reported that the majority of
the panel did “not believe that . . . evidence [that Reeder was subjected to abuse at the hands of
his wife] is proof the applicant did not strike his wife, nor are we convinced the commander did
not exercise due diligence in investigating the facts and circumstances of the instant case.” Id. at
3. Exactly what the commander investigated is unclear because there is no written record of the
evidence from Reeder’s Article 15 process.
AFLSA noted in their advisory opinion, “[s]ince we do not have all the documentation
before us, we defer to the actions of the commander and the Article 15 appellate authority.” Id.
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at 40. AFLSA also reminded the Board, “the applicant had the opportunity to turn down the
Article 15 and demand a trial by court—martial. He chose to present the evidence to his
commander.” Id. Furthermore, the AFBCMR stated that various supporting statements were
considered by both the commander making the initial determination, and “[a]bsent evidence to
the contrary, [the Board] presume[s] [the commander] acted in good faith and used his
knowledge of events and circumstances at the time in arriving at the appropriate punishment for
the applicant’s misconduct.”'0
This Court finds that the AFBCMR’s decision was appropriate because the Board’s 2013
decision “contain[s] a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made.”
Dickson, 68 F.3d at 1404. In light of the consideration the Board has given Reeder’s case, not
once, but three times, and because this Court is required to give the Secretary unusual deference,
this Court concludes that the Board’s decision to uphold the commander’s decisions regarding
the battery and violation of the no-contact order are not arbitrary or capricious. Accordingly, this
Court will grant summary judgment in favor of the Secretary with respect to Counts One and
Two.
2. Count Three: Offense of Disrespect
With respect to the offense of disrespect, Reeder argues that he was mentally unstable,
intoxicated, and incompetent when he committed the offense, and therefore, was not responsible
‘0 The 2013 decision stated: “This Board has twice determined the NJP [non—judicial
punishment] actions rendered upon the applicant for assaulting his former spouse and
subsequently violating a no-contact order were appropriate to the circumstances and within the
commander’s discretionary authority.” A.R. at 2. The 2012 decision stated: “The applicant
violated his commander’s order to have no contact with his wife prior to the decision being made
regarding the first Article 15.” AR. at 12.
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for his conduct. Pl. ’s Cross—Mot. Summ. J. 43. Alternatively, Reeder argues that he became
intoxicated and suicidal because the finding of guilt for battery was a “miscarriage of justice,”
and but for the false allegation, he would not have become intoxicated and suicidal.11 Id. at 44.
The Secretary contends, without citation to authority, that the Board did not have to
address the additional arguments regarding the disrespect action because Reeder’s submission to
the AFBCMR was primarily premised on his actual innocence of the first charge. Def.’s Mot.
Summ. J. 28-29; see also Def.’s Opp. to Pl.’s Cross—Mot. Summ. J. 16—18 [ECF No. 19].12
Finally, the Secretary argues that the disrespect action was based on four offenses, any one of
which could have sustained the action.‘3 Def.’s Opp. to Pl.’s Cross-Mot. Summ. J. 19.14
Because, according to the Secretary, Reeder does not dispute that those actions actually occurred,
the Secretary contends that it was appropriate for the Board to defer to the commander. Id. at 18—
19.
” In light of this Court’s decision that the AFBCMR’s decision to uphold the commander’s
finding of guilt for the battery was not arbitrary or capricious, this argument has no merit.
‘2 The Secretary also argues that Reeder’s mental state during the disrespectful outburst was
considered by the commander because Reeder was ordered to undergo a mental health
evaluation. Def.’s Mot. Summ. J. 30. However, this mental health evaluation occurred on
September 11, 1996, and the outburst for which Reeder was punished occurred on October 8,
1996 when he was “actively suicidal.” AR. at 184—85, 200—01.
‘3 The four offenses were disrespect toward his commander, disrespect towards his superior
noncommissioned officer, throwing a wine bottle, and becoming drunk and disorderly. AR. at
184—86.
'4 Reeder insists that this argument is post hoc rationalization by counsel. The AFBCMR does
not discuss any of the four offenses in their decisions. See P1.’s Reply to Def.’s Opp. 14 [ECF
No. 21].
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Military review boards act arbitrarily in failing to respond to non—frivolous arguments
that could affect the Board’s disposition, but “an agency’s decision need not be a model of
analytic precision to survive a challenge.” Rudo v. Geren, 818 F. Supp. 2d 17, 25—26 (D.D.C.
2011) (quoting Frizelle v. Slater, 111 F.3d 172, 176 (DC. Cir. 1997)). “There is a strong
presumption that the personnel involved in the decision making process have faithfully
discharged their duties.” Smith v. Dalton, 927 F. Supp. 1, 5 (D.D.C. 1996). However, in
conducting the review of the AFBCMR’S decision, this Court must have sufficient information to
determine whether the Board’s decisions were proper. Id.
The reason why defendants must provide sufficient information is threefold: (1) it
enables the court to give proper review to the administrative determination; (2) it
helps to keep the administrative agency within proper authority and discretion, as
well as helping to avoid and prevent arbitrary, discriminatory, and irrational
action by the agency; and finally (3) it informs the aggrieved person of the
administrative boards’ rationale so he can plan his course of action, including
requests for judicial review.
Id.
When the AFBCMR does not properly address an argument asserted by Reeder, this
Court cannot give the Board the deference to which it is normally entitled. “A fundamental
requirement of administrative law is that an agency set forth its reasons for [its] decision.”
Remmz’e, 898 F. Supp. 2d at 119 (internal quotation marks and citations omitted). The agency
must provide a “brief statement of the grounds for denial” when denying a written application.
5 U.S.C. § 555(e). This Court must examine whether the Board “has considered all of the
evidence before it, and if so, if it has stated why evidence contrary to the final decision was
‘disregarded or given less weight.m Smith, 927 F. Supp. at 5 (quoting Mozur v. Orr, 600 F.
Supp. 772, 782 (ED. Pa. 1985)). Indeed, the court “may not accept . . . counsel’s post hoc
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rationalizations for agency action. It is well established that an agency’s action must be upheld,
if at all, on the basis articulated by the agency itself.” Motor Vehicle Mfrs. Ass ’n ofthe United
States, Inc, 463 US. at 50 (internal citations omitted).
Reeder submitted medical records showing that he was suicidal at the time when he
committed the offense of disrespect, and the Board should state what difference this makes, if
any, in reviewing the commander’s determination. The Board’s decision fails to provide “any
basis upon which [this Court] could conclude [the denial] was the product of reasoned
decisionmaking” regarding the effect, if any, of Reeder’s mental state at the time of the
disrespectful outburst. The Board has not fulfilled its duty to provide a brief statement
explaining “why it chose to do what it did.” Taurus Records, Inc. v. Drug EnforcementAdmin.,
259 F.3d 731, 737 (DC. Cir. 2001). While the Secretary argues that the disrespect action could
have stood on any of the four offenses, the Board’s decisions do not address any of the four
offenses, and this Court cannot rely on post hoc rationalizations of counsel. See Motor Vehicle
Mfls. Ass ’n ofthe United States, Inc, 463 US. at 50.
This Court notes that the Board “decides cases on the evidence of the record. It is not an
investigative body.” 32 C.F.R. § 865.2(c). Thus, as the Secretary has argued, Reeder is not
entitled to a do—over of the Article 15 process or to obtain a “new decision.” See Def.’s Mot.
Summ. J. 29. However, Reeder is entitled to know how the Board arrived at its decision, and
this Court must be able to ascertain the Secretary’s basis for the decision in order to review it.
Remmie, 898 F. Supp. 2d at 131. In order “[t]o conduct even a limited review, [this Court] must
be made privy to the Board’s reasoning.” Dickson, 68 F.3d at 1406 n. 17. Because there is no
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analysis of Reeder’s contentions regarding his mental state in the Board’s challenged decisions,
this Court must remand to the Secretary for further explanation on that limited basis alone.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, this Court will issue a contemporaneous Order on this date
granting in part and denying in part Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment, denying in part
and granting in part Plaintiff’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment, and remanding the matter
to the Secretary for further proceedings consistent with this Opinion.
I‘lrfi
August ‘,’201 5
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no—contact order”). Am. Compl. 11 25; AR. at 173. On August 22, 1996, Major Kobayashi
notified Reeder that he intended to impose non—judicial punishment under Article 15 of the
Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”)4 for the alleged battery. Am. Compl. 11 27; AR. at
179.
Reeder was represented by counsel, decided to waive his right to trial by court—martial,
and elected to proceed with non-judicial punishment. Am. Compl. W 28—29. On September 4,
1996, Reeder presented a lengthy written statement to Major Kobayashi recounting his version of
the events of August 9, 1996, where he admitted he caused her injury, and a detailed picture of
his relationship with Graybill. AR. at 341—51. Reeder contended that Graybill was the sole
aggressor in their relationship, and that she consistently abused him but he never abused her. Id.
Reeder insisted that Graybill sustained the black eye because he was defending himself when she
attacked him.5 Id. Reeder also submitted several statements from individuals who had observed
4 Article 15 proceedings “authorize[ ] military commanders to punish subordinates without the
formalities, rules, and rights ofa trial.” Def’s Mot. Summ. J. 3. “Article 15 provides
commanders a way to efficiently address disciplinary infractions with something more than a
slap on the wrist, but less than a criminal conviction.” Id.
5 Reeder stated:
On Friday, August 9‘“, my wife and I were sitting on the couch in my apartment
watching television. I don’t remember what was said exactly but it was in
reference to the video we were watching. Linda had been drinking some wine
and began to argue over the movie. She grew very angry, stood up on the couch
and began punching me about the face and head area. I put my hands over my
face and head in self defense. I moved my legs towards my chest and
inadvertently exposed my testicles. She stepped on them hard with her full[ ]
body weight. Immediately and without thought I pushed her off the couch onto
the floor. She tripped over a wicker coffee table which sits next to the couch
causing her to fall. She skinned her arms, her butt and hit her face on one of the
wooden chairs . . . resulting in a black eye. I did not, nor have I ever,
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Graybill’s harsh and abusive treatment of Reeder. A.R. at 313—339. On September 11, 1996,
Major Kobayashi directed that Reeder undergo a mental health evaluation. Am. Compl. ii 37.
On October 2, 1996, Maj or Kobayahsi conducted the non-judicial punishment hearing and found
Reeder guilty of the offense of battery. A.R. at 179—182. He sentenced Reeder to a reduction in
grade to Senior Airman,6 but suspended the sentence until April 1, 1997, so that the sentence
would not take effect if he did not commit any further offenses during the time of suspension.
B. Reeder’s Second Non-Judicial Punishment
On August 22, 1996, while the no-contact order was still in place, Reeder called Graybill’s
mother to find out if she knew where Graybill was and to inquire whether Graybill intended to
stay married. Pl.’s Cross-Mot. Summ. J. [ECF No. 14] 15; see also AR 323. When Reeder
called Graybill’s mother, she informed Reeder that Graybill was at her home, asked if he wanted
to speak with her, and then gave Graybill the phone. Id. at 13—14. Reeder then spoke with
Graybill for fifteen to twenty minutes. A.R. at 64. Reeder contends that he did not intentionally
violate the no—contact order, and that he did not know Graybill would be there when he called
Graybill’s mother. A.R. at 374—75. On September 6, 1996, Major Kobayashi notified Reeder
that he intended to impose non—judicial punishment under Article 15 for violating the no—contact
order. A.R. at 25—26; P1.’s Cross—Mot. Summ. J. 16. On October 30, 1996, Major Kobayashi
intentionally hurt anyone. Her injury was sustained as a result of her attack on
me.
A.R. at 341.
6 At the time of the Article 15, Reeder was a Staff Sergeant.
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found Reeder guilty of disobeying a lawful order and ordered the punishment of “[f] orfeiture of
$150.00 pay per month for 2 months.” Pl.’s Cross—Mot. Summ. I. 16; see also A.R. at 26.
After Maj or Kobayashi found Reeder guilty of violating the no—contact order, Graybill’s
mother submitted a written statement supporting Reeder’s version of the events. See A.R. at
366; see also A.R. at 368 (“I was to blame for [Reeder talking to Graybill]. He told me at the
beginning that he wasn’t supposed to talk to her because he had an order not to — I just handed
her the phone”).
C. Vacation of Suspension of Reeder’s First Sentence
On October 8, 1996, Reeder drank alcohol excessively and cut his wrists in an apparent
suicide attempt. Pl.’s Cross—Mot. Summ. J. 17; see also A.R. at 46, 203—205. Reeder’s
roommate found him intoxicated and bleeding. AR. at 203—205. Reeder threw an empty wine
bottle at his roommate and told him to leave him alone so he could “do what he had to do.” Id.
The roommate stated that Reeder had been depressed about the Article 155 and had made jokes
previously about killing himself. Id. The roommate called for help and Reeder was transported
to the hospital by Turkish police. While in the hospital, Reeder was visited by a Senior Airman
and a Master Sergeant. In their presence, Reeder used profane and disrespectful language.7
7 According to the Senior Airman, Reeder made the following statements:
My commander is a spineless [expletive], and if First Sergeant would of [sic]
done his [expletive] job, I would not of [sic] been in all of this [expletive]. With
all do [sic] respect, [expletive] you sir! That [expletive] offered me a second
chance to take a [sic] article 15. I asked the [expletive] commander to judge on
this shit, thinking he would be cool about it, but he found me guilty. If I could get
ahold of one of your guns, I’d blow my head off right here.
AR. at 379. According to the Master Sergeant, Reeder appeared intoxicated and made
the following statements:
On November 7, 1996, Major Kobayashi notified him that he was considering whether to vacate
the suspension of Reeder’s punishment of reduction in rank because of the disrespectful
language Reeder used while in the hospital, throwing the wine bottle, and being drunk and
disorderly. AR. at 184—186. On November 18, 1996, Major Kobayashi found Reeder guilty of
one or more of the offenses and directed the punishment of a reduction in rank to senior airman
“with a new date of rank of 2 October 1996.” AR. at 184.
D. Appeals, Discharge from the Air Force, and Applications to the AFBCMR
Reeder appealed each of Maj or Kobayashi’s decisions to Kobayashi’s commander, Colonel
Barry Shade, and each of the decisions were upheld. Am. Compl. W 31 & 43. Reeder was
honorably discharged from the Air Force on February 16, 1998 because of “high year tenure” as
a Senior Airman. Am. Compl. {l 22. Reeder’s separation was characterized as a “Reduction in
Force.” Id. In December 2001, the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) rated Reeder as 50%
disabled due to PTSD from being battered and abused. Am. Compl. 1M7. In May 2002, the VA
increased that rating to 100% disabled. 1d,; see also AR. at 225.
Reeder first applied to the AFBCMR on November 2, 1998, requesting that his Article 15
records be set-aside. AR. at 16—36. The AFBCMR denied his application on December 1, 1999.
[Expletive] you and the Commander. You guys found me guilty. I didn’t do it.
You [expletive] [expletive] [expletive] believed her whole story. And the
[expletive] Squadron commander, Maj Bob Fucking Kobayashi. You [expletive]
[expletive] found me guilty. How in the [expletive] did you find me guilty? I
didn’t do it. Nothing personal but [expletive] you and [expletive] the
Commander. You [expletive] strung me along for nothing.
AR. at 381.
AR. at 10—15.8 On May 11, 2010, Reeder filed a second application that consisted ofa
memorandum of law and 50 enclosures. AR. at 58—3 87. He also submitted additional medical
records from the VA. AR. 388—41 1. The second application argued that the evidence available
to the commander did not establish Reeder’s guilt of domestic violence (AR. at 68—81); Reeder
did not willfully violate the no—contact order (AR. at 81—83); Reeder was mentally unstable
when he committed the offense of disrespect (AR. at 83—85); and Reeder’s separation from the
Air Force resulted from his mental condition and the miscarriage of justice he suffered (AR. at
85—86). The AFBCMR denied Reeder’s second application on May 25, 2011. AR. at 415—417.
On September 6, 2011, Reeder, through counsel, submitted a letter informing the AFBCMR that
its decision provided an insufficient explanation of its rationale for denial and requested further
consideration. AR. at 412—13. The AFBCMR denied the application again on January 30, 2013
by a vote of2—l. AR. at 1—5.
Reeder filed his complaint in this Court on November 6, 2014, alleging that the AFBCMR’S
decision was arbitrary, capricious, and unsupported by evidence or otherwise contrary to law.
See Compl. [ECF No. 1]. With the Secretary’s consent, Reeder filed an amended complaint on
April 23, 2015. See Am. Compl. [ECF No. 11]. Reeder seeks to set aside the AFBCMR
decisions under review and remand the matter to the AFBCMR for expungement of the Article
15 records in his Official Military Personnel File.
11. LEGAL STANDARD
8 Reeder is not challenging the decision denying his first application to the AFBCMR. Am.
Compl. {I 17.
Pending before this Court are the parties’ Cross—Motions for Summary Judgment [ECF
Nos. 13 & 14]. Though styled as Motions for Summary Judgment, the parties more accurately
seek review of an administrative decision under the APA. Thus, the standard in Rule 56(c) is
inapplicable because the court has a more limited role in reviewing the administrative record.
See Sierra Club v. Mainella, 459 F. Supp. 2d 76, 89 (D.D.C. 2006). “[T]he function of the
district court is to determine whether or not as a matter of law the evidence in the administrative
record permitted the agency to make the decision it did.” Id at 90 (internal quotation marks and
citations omitted). “Summary judgment thus serves as the mechanism for deciding, as a matter
of law, whether the agency action is supported by the administrative record and otherwise
consistent with the APA standard of review.” Wilhelmus v. Geren, 796 F. Supp. 2d 157, 160
(D.D.C. 2011) (internal citations omitted); see also Richards v. INS, 554 F.2d 1 173, 1777 (DC.
Cir. 1977).
“The Administrative Procedure Act . . . sets forth the full extent of judicial authority to
review executive agency action for procedural correctness.” F. C. C. v. Fox Television Stations,
Inc, 556 US. 502, 513 (2009). This Court can only set aside agency action that is “arbitrary,
capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with the law.” 5 U.S.C. §
706(2)(A). This is a “narrow” standard of review, and “a court is not to substitute its judgment
for that of the agency.” Motor Vehicle Mfls. Ass ’n of the United States, Inc. v. State Farm Mat.
Auto. Ins. Co, 463 U .S. 29, 43 (1983). However, a decision that is not fully explained can only
be upheld “if the agency’s path may be reasonably discerned.” Bowman Transp, Inc. v.
Arkansas—Best Freight Sys, Inc., 419 U.S. 281, 286 (1974).
III. ANALYSIS
A. Standard of Review
By statute, “the Secretary of a military department may correct any military record of
[her] department when [she] considers it necessary to correct an error or remove an injustice.”
10 U.S.C. § 1552(a)(1) (West) (emphasis added). Military records are reviewed by the civilian
boards for correction of military records, and federal courts review final decisions made by the
civilian records correction boards under the APA. Remmz’e v. Mabus, 898 F. Supp. 2d 108, 118
(D.D.C. 2012). This Circuit’s longstanding practice is to give military correction boards an
“unusual” level of deference, one that is higher than the deference afforded other federal
agencies. Roberts v. United States, 741 F.3d 152, 158 (DC. Cir. 2014); see also Wilhelmus v.
Geren, 796 F. Supp. 2d 157, 161 (D.D.C. 2011) (“Considering the wide latitude granted to the
Secretary by Congress, this Circuit has found that decisions by the [civilian review boards]
receive the benefit of an unusually deferential application of the arbitrary and capricious
standard”).
[T]he question whether a particular action is arbitrary or capricious must turn on
the extent to which the relevant statute . . . constrains agency action. While the
broad grant of discretion implicated here does not entirely foreclose review of the
Secretary’s action, the way in which the statute frames the issue for review does
substantially restrict the authority of the reviewing court to upset the Secretary’s
determination. It is simply more difficult to say that the Secretary has acted
arbitrarily if [s]he is authorized to act ‘when [s]he considers it necessary to correct
an error or remove an injustice,’ 10 U.S.C. § 1552(a), than it is if [s]he is required
to act whenever a court determines that certain objective conditions are met, 118.,
that there has been an error or injustice.
Kreis v. Sec ’y ()f/lir Force, 866 F.2d 1508, 1514 (DC. Cir. 1989).
While this Court must accord the Secretary with a high level of deference, that does not
mean the Secretary’s exercise of discretion is unreviewable. The Secretary “must give a reason
that the court can measure,” but “only the most egregious decisions may be prevented under such
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a deferential standard of review.” Kreis, 866 F.2d at 15 14-15. This Court cannot “disturb the
decision of an agency that has examined the relevant data and articulated a satisfactory
explanation for its action,” Ant‘onelli v. McHugh, 783 F. Supp. 2d 94, 97 (D.D.C. 2011), but “an
agency’s explanation must minimally contain a rational connection between the facts found and
the choice made,” Dickson v. Sec ’y ()fDefense, 68 F.3d 1396, 1404 (DC. Cir. 1995).
B. Merits
1. Counts One and Two: Offense of Battery and Violation of the No-Contact
Order
Reeder argues that the AFBCMR’S decisions to uphold the commander’s initial finding
that Reeder battered his wife and violated the no—contact order were arbitrary and capricious,
unsupported by substantial evidence, and contrary to law and mandatory procedure. Pl.’s Cross—
Mot. Summ. J. 34—3 8, 39~4l [ECF No. 14]. Reeder contends that because there is overwhelming
evidence that Graybill was the primary aggressor in their relationship, this evidence makes it
more likely that she was the aggressor during the incident in which Graybill sustained the black
eye.9 Id. Reeder also argues that Graybill provided inconsistent accounts of both the events of
their wedding night and the evening where she sustained the black eye; Reeder contends that
these inconsistencies render her version of the events regarding the alleged assault less credible.
Id. at 31—33. Finally, Reeder argues that the AFBCMR’S decision lacks appropriate fact finding
and analysis. Id. at 38.
The Secretary contends that the AFBCMR’S decision was supported by sufficient record
evidence, and the evidence provided by Reeder that he was abused by his wife does not exclude
9 Reeder admits that he pushed Graybill which caused her to fall thereby resulting in a black eye.
A.R. at 341. Reeder merely disputes that he struck her in the eye. Id.
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