AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2017-00434	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 3 Feb 17 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge for Misconduct (Drug Abuse).  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to General.  The board was conducted on 23 Aug 18.  

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 General.

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 narrative 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 a Special Court-Martial, and one Article 15.  His misconduct included:  three guilty pleas and three guilty findings for wrongful use of marijuana, and wrongful use of codeine.
 
Due to evidence of a mental health condition found in the applicant’s medical record, the board considered the case based on the liberal consideration standards required by guidance from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and/or 10 USC §1553.

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant accepts responsibility, and apologizes for his actions.  The applicant believes the misconduct was due to depression that was brought on by daily emotional pressure.  The applicant admits he chose the wrong way to deal with the pressure.  The applicant is requesting the upgrade in order to receive medical benefits, and to show his youth program that anyone can bounce back.

The board discovered the applicant was diagnosed with adjustment disorder due to family and work stressors.  However, after reviewing the service record, the DRB found no evidence to indicate the applicant was unaware of the Air Force policy of zero tolerance for illegal drug use.  The board found the negative aspects of the applicant’s willful misconduct outweighed the positive aspects of his military service.  

After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist, the DRB found no conclusive indication that any mental health issues had a direct impact on the applicant's misconduct or discharge.

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 5 Sep 18.  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