AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2017-00644	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 9 May 17 in accordance with AFI 36-3209 with a General discharge for Misconduct:  Drug Abuse and Commission of a Serious Offense.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable.  The board was conducted on 3 May 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 Honorable.

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 one Article 15.  His misconduct included:  soliciting drugs from a subordinate, wrongfully using Adderall, Ritalin, and Xanax, and making a false official statement during an investigation.  

The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable because there was insufficient evidence to support it.  He believes the investigation that resulted in his discharge was “botched” and he was denied his Constitutional rights during it.  The applicant also requested to have his Article 15 and Unfavorable Information File removed, and to restore his 20-year military career so he can retire.  Both of these requests are outside the purview of the DRB.

After reviewing the service record, the DRB found no evidence to indicate any irregularities occurred during the investigation that resulted in the applicant’s discharge, and he did not provide any evidence to support his accusations.  There was also no evidence that indicated the applicant was unaware of the Air Force policy of zero tolerance for illegal drug use.  The DRB concluded 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 23 Jul 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