AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2021-00135	
					
The applicant was discharged on 26 Mar 17 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Uncharacterized discharge for Fraudulent Entry.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization to Honorable, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.  The Board was conducted on 21 Sep 21.  

The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), without counsel, via video teleconference using Zoom on 21 Sep 21.  No witnesses were present to testify on the applicant’s behalf. 

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, Letters of Reprimand, and a Letter of Counseling.  His misconduct included: Fraudulent answers on AF IMT 2030 and SF86; underage drinking; tobacco use in a government facility; failed to attend mandatory CC call; failed to keep dorm within inspection standards; failed to report to duty at the time prescribed; wrongfully used vapor smoking device inside a government facility; and in possession of unauthorized materials on Post.  

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable/improper. The applicant states that he accepts full responsibility for his actions but wishes to reenlist. During the hearing, the member stated that the investigation into his drug use was baseless and he doesn’t understand how it came about. Additionally, he explained that he was told he had to drive 3 hours to receive counsel for his Article 15 defense. Lastly, the applicant contends that he informed his recruiter of his prior service drug use, but the recruiter told the applicant he did not have to disclose the drug use on the AF IMT.
 
The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of impropriety or inequity to warrant an upgrade of the discharge. The Board evaluated the applicant’s comments during his appearance, but the applicant did not provide compelling discussion to overcome the presumption of regularity concerning the Air Force actions in regards to his discharge. 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. 

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 21 September  2021.  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  
Instructions on how to appeal an AFDRB decision can be found at 
https://afrbaportal.azurewebsites.us

Attachment:
Examiner's Brief (Applicant Only)