AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

  FD-2020-00680	
					
The applicant was discharged on 18 Feb 20 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 12 Nov 20.  

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 / 3K.

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:  made a false official statement claiming to unknowingly consume brownies that contained marijuana.

The member states that the discharge he received was based upon one incident in five years. He goes on to stat that he hadn’t received any other paperwork. He states that he recognizes that he is responsible for his actions and that he has paid for them with the exit of the military. The member states he is trying to start a new career and upgrading his discharge would help him significantly.

The DRB recognized the applicant served 5 years before the discharge was initiated and reviewed the entire service record. It found no evidence to indicate the applicant was unaware of the Air Force policy of zero tolerance for illegal drug use. The DRB concluded the seriousness of the applicant’s willful misconduct offset the positive aspects of his service. The characterization of the discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate.
 
After a thorough review of the service record and inputs from the board’s psychiatrist/ psychologist, 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. 

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 12 Nov20.  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)