RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2016-04994

	COUNSEL: NONE

	HEARING: NO

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

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

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

His military service prior to the discharge was honorable and the circumstances surrounding his discharge were based on an unstable home life and work environment that led to the drug abuse resulting in his discharge from the military.  He feels the consequences of his actions far outweigh the price he has paid.  The applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

The applicant entered the Regular Air Force on 24 February 1982.

In an undated letter, the applicant was notified of his commander’s intent to recommend that he be discharged from the Air Force under the provisions of AFR 39-10, Administrative Separation of Airmen, for Drug Abuse.  The specific reason for this action was the applicant’s wrongful use of marijuana on 8 December 1983.

On 13 March 1984, the applicant acknowledge receipt of the discharge recommendation and on 21 March 1984, he submitted matters for the discharge authority’s consideration.

On 22 March 1984, the discharge action was found legally sufficient, and the discharge authority approved the recommendation on 27 March 1984.

On 29 March 1984, the applicant received a general (under honorable conditions) discharge.  For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B. 

A request for post-service information was forwarded to the applicant on 25 September 2017, for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit C).  The applicant replied on 12 April 2018.  In his response, the applicant urges the Board to consider upgrading his discharge based solely on his military service, which was exemplary until the incident of drug use that led to his discharge.  He excelled as a precision measuring equipment specialist, exceeded production standards, and nearly reached the level of master technician before his discharge.  Drug use not only led to his discharge, but he has continued to battle drug addiction and has spent a great deal of time incarcerated because of his drug use.  While in prison he completed a treatment program, which led to his recovery; however, after almost 12 years of sobriety, he relapsed and was again incarcerated.  Despite the numerous opportunities and temptations he is exposed to in prison, he did not relapse and has been clean and sober since 10 June 2013.  He maintains his sobriety one day at a time and has confidence that when he is released from prison, he will remain sober.  He would like to resume his life as a productive member of society and prays for a positive decision from the Board.  The applicant’s complete response is at Exhibit D.

THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available avenues of non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After thoroughly reviewing all Exhibits, it is the Board’s opinion that the applicant is not the victim of an injustice.  It appears the discharge was consistent with the substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the commander’s discretion.  Nor was the discharge unduly harsh or disproportionate to the offenses committed. In the interest of justice, the Board considered upgrading the discharge based on clemency; however, given the evidence presented, the Board finds no basis to do so.  Therefore, the Board recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The applicant be informed the evidence did not demonstrate material error or injustice, and the application will only be reconsidered upon receipt of relevant evidence not already considered by the Board.

CERTIFICATION:

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2016-04994 in Executive Session on 7 June 2018:

Panel Chair 
Panel Member
Panel Member

All members voted not to correct the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atch, dated 14 December 2014.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Post-Service Clemency Request, w/atch, dated 25 September 2017.
Exhibit D:	Applicant’s response, dated 12 April 2018.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.