RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
         AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2003-03242

		COUNSEL:  NONE

		HEARING DESIRED:  NO

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APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable.

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APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He has been afflicted with the disease of alcoholism and substance abuse since he was 14 years old.  With the help of a 12-step rehab program, he has been able to arrest the disease. 

In support of the request, he submits a letter from the Bridge Back to Life Center and a copy of his DD Form 214.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

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STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force as an airman basic on 29 September 1981. On 16 November 1983, he was discharged under the provisions of AFM 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airman (Misconduct-Drug Abuse), with service characterized as general (under honorable conditions) in the grade of airman first class. He served 2 years, 1 month and 18 days of total active military service.

On 2 November 1983, applicant's commander recommended discharge due to drug abuse.  On 10 March 1983, the applicant wrongfully possessed marijuana and received an Article 15 with a suspended reduction to airman, 14 days extra duty and fined $150.  On     20 April, 13 May, and 14 September, the member wrongfully possessed marijuana and received three letters of reprimand.  

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AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

AFPC/DPPRS recommended denial and stated that based upon the documentation in the file, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation.  Additional, the discharge was within the sound discretion of the discharge authority.  The applicant submitted a reference letter; however, he did not identify any errors or injustices that occurred in the discharge processing.  Additionally, he provided no other facts warranting an upgrade of the discharge.  Accordingly, they recommend his records remain the same and his request be denied.  He has not filed a timely request.

AFPC/DPPRSP complete evaluation is at Exhibit C.

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APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:

A complete copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to the applicant on 7 November 2003, for review and comment within 30 days.  As of this date, no response has been received by this office.

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THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.	The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by existing law or regulations.

2.	The application was not timely filed; however, the Board excused the failure to timely file.

3.	Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice.  After a thorough review of the evidence of record and applicant’s submission, we are not persuaded that his discharge should be upgraded to honorable.  The applicant has not established by his submission that his commander abused his discretionary authority, and since we find no abuse of that authority, there is no compelling reason to overturn the commander’s decision.  We agree with the opinions and recommendation of the Air Force and adopt their rationale as the basis for our decision that the applicant has failed to sustain his burden of having suffered either an error or an injustice.   Therefore, in absence of evidence to the contrary, we find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought.

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THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:

The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of a material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this application.

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The following members of the Board considered Docket Number BC-2003-03242 in Executive Session on 9 December 2003, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

The following documentary evidence was considered:

	Exhibit A.	DD Form 149, dated 16 Oct 03, w/atchs.
	Exhibit B.	Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
	Exhibit C.	Letter, AFPC/DPPRSP, dated 30 Oct 03.
	Exhibit D.	Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 7 Nov 03.