AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING RECORD
NAME OF SERVICE MEMBER (LAST, FIRST MIDDLE INITIAL)	GRADE
(b) (6)

TYPE  GEN	I	PERSONAL     APPEARANCE	x	I	RECORD    REVIEW
OOUl'ISEL	NAME OFCOUNSEi.. AND OR ORGANIZATION	ADDRESS AND OR ORGANIZATION OF COUNSEL
YES	No
x
VOTE OF THE BOARD
MEMBER    SITTING	HON	GEN	UOTHC	OTHER	DENY
(b) (6)	X+

X+

x	+
x	+
x	+
ISSUES	A94.05	INDEX NUMBER	A60.00	EXHJBITSSUBMITfEDTOTHE   BOARD
I ORDER APPOINTING THE BOARD
2	APPLICATION FOR REVIEW OF DISCHARGE
3	LETTER OF NOTIFICATION
4	BRIEF OF PERSONNEL FILE
COUNSEL'S RELEASE TO THE BOARD
ADDITIONAL EXHIBITS SUBMITTED AT TIME OF PERSONAL  APPEARANCE
TAPE RECORDING OF PERSONAL APPEARANCE HEARING

HEARINC DATE	CASE NUMBER

03 Mar 2016	FD-2015-00391
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Case heard in Washington, D.C.

Advise applicant of the decision of the Board, the right to a personal appearance with/without counsel, and the right to submit an application to the AFBCMR.

+ CHANGE REASON AND AUTHORITY TO SECRETARIAL AUTHORITY
-(b) (6)

..
J1'4JJOtalMIM	DATE:     3/2!a016
TO:	FROM:
SAF/MRBR	SECRETARV OFTHE AIR FORCE PERSONNEL COUNCIL
AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD
550 C STREET WEST, SUITE 40	1535 COMMAND DQ. EE WING. Jlll> FLOOR
RANDOLPH AFB, TX 78150-4742	ANDREWS AFll, MD l0762-70tl

AFHQ FORM 0-2077, JAN 00	(EF-V2)	Previous

AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL RATIONALE	CASE Nl.MBER

FD-2015-00391	

GENERAL: The applicant appeals for upgrade of discharge characterization to Honorable.

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB) but declined and requests that the review be completed based on the available service record.

The attached brief contains available pertinent data on the applicant and the factors leading to the discharge.

FINDING: The Board grants the upgrade to Honorable. However, the narrative reason for discharge will remain unchanged .

ISSUE: The applicant received a General discharge for Misconduct

The Air Force Discharge Review Board, under its responsibility to examine the propriety and equity of an applicant 's discharge, is authorized to change the characterization of service and the reason for discharge if such change is warranted. 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 ensure the discharge met the pertinent standards of equity and propriety. The applicant's record of service included two Article 15s and one Vacation of Suspended Non­ judicial Punishment. His misconduct included an attempt to wrongfully use marijuana, wrongfully possessing alcoholic beverages in a base parking lot, and failing to go to the prescribed appointed place of duty on time on several occasions.

The applicant contends that his discharge was inequitable because it was too harsh. He claims that he made some bad decisions, but feels that his misconduct does not warrant a General discharge.  He seeks an upgrade so that he can qualify for G.I. Bill benefits. After a review of the record and the information supplied by the applicant, the DRB determined there is sufficient evidence to support his claim of inequity. Although the Board does not condone the applicant 's misconduct , the Board finds that sufficient mitigating circumstances exist to grant an upgrade of the discharge characterization to Honorable; however the narrative reason will remain unchanged.

CONCLUSION: The Discharge Review Board concludes that the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the discharge regulation and was within the discretion of the discharge authority and the applicant was provided full administrative due process.

However, in view of the foregoing findings, the Board concludes that the overall quality of applicant's service is more accurately reflected by an Honorable discharge characterization under the provisions of Title JO, USC 1553.

Attachment: Examiner's Brief