AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00063	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 25 Jun 13 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge for Misconduct (Drug Abuse).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable and a change to the narrative reason.  The board was conducted on 21 Sep 17.  

The applicant was offered a personal appearance before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), but declined and requested the board be completed based on a records only review.  The applicant was not represented by counsel.   

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. 
  
FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable and to change the narrative reason.  

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 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’s record of service included one Article 15 for wrongful use of marijuana and psilocybin, and two Letters of Counseling for failing to complete an adequate foreign object damage check and missing a mandatory appointment.    

The applicant contended the discharge was improper because he was falsely accused of using illegal drugs.  He claimed the accusation was fabricated, based only on hearsay, and there was no supporting evidence.  He also claimed his urinalysis results were negative.  The applicant stated another Airman was pressured into implicating him as participating in illegal drug use, but later recanted his statement.  He asserted he did not contest the Article 15 because he felt hopeless and frustrated about his chances of proving his innocence after being advised by the area defense counsel.  The applicant did not provide specific documentation (e.g., a sworn statement from the Airman he claimed recounted, urinalysis results, etc.) to support his contentions.  

After reviewing the service record and the documentation provided by the applicant, the DRB found no conclusive evidence the applicant was falsely accused of using illegal drugs.  It also noted that in the applicant’s response to his Article 15, dated 15 May 13, he stated “I do not contest the charges leveled against me.”  The board found the negative aspects of the applicant’s willful misconduct outweighed the positive aspects of his military service.  

CONCLUSION:  The board found insufficient evidence of an inequity or impropriety that would warrant a change to the applicant’s discharge.  Therefore, the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate and his request was not approved. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 24 Oct 17.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  SAF/MRBR (CITU), 550-C Street West, Suite 41, Randolph AFB, TX  78150-4743.
  
Attachment:
Examiner's Brief