AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2020-00637	
					
The applicant was discharged on 8 Mar 10 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.  The board was conducted on 14 Jan 21.  

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, to change the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority, and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C.

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 an Article 15.  His misconduct included:  in Possession of Spice.

Applicant stated no contentions. The applicant states that he’s learned a lot during his short time serving, how to better harness his focus, self-discipline and how to interact with others. He continues to say that even though he wasn’t enlisted long, it is a privilege to call himself a veteran. The applicant goes on to state that he didn’t appreciate or comprehend how beneficial that enlistment was until he matured. He states he does his best to exhibit the core values that were instilled in him. He continues to say that he represents the Air Force as a veteran but would like to continue to do so with honors and confidently. The member states that because Spice was legal and sold over the counter, he did not understand the potential dangers of the substance. He goes on to state that he had been warned that it would be outlawed but made the mistake of continuing use. He states he deeply regrets these actions and has learned from the errors he made. 

The DRB recognized the applicant was young when the discharge took place, but noted he was no younger than the vast majority of first-term Airmen who properly adhere to Air Force standards of conduct. 
The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found insufficient evidence to grant the applicant’s request.  The board found the negative aspects of the applicant’s willful misconduct outweighed the positive aspects of his military service.  The characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate.

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. 

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or directly appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.  

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 22 Jan 21.  If desired, the applicant can request a list of the board members and their votes by writing to:  

Air Force Review Boards Agency
Attn: Discharge Review Board
3351 Celmers Lane
Joint Base Andrews, NAF Washington, MD 20762-6602  

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)