AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2021-00387	
					
GENERAL:  The applicant was discharged on 7 August 2021 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions discharge for Misconduct (Minor Infractions). 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 30 November 2021

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 approve 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 multiple Article 15s.  His misconduct included driving under the influence of alcohol.

The applicant requested a discharge upgrade. The applicant stated his upgrade request is based upon leniency and for the material errors conducted by the applicant’s command when issuing him the Article 15’s.  The applicant and counsel stated the command abused their discretion when not fully weighing the evidence before punishing the applicant with Article 15’s.

The DRB determined that the UOTHC was harsh in comparison to the minor infractions the applicant made. The Board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career. Which is why the board voted to upgrade the applicant’s character of service to General.

CONCLUSION:  
The Board found neither the evidence of record, nor that provided by the applicant substantiated any inequity.  However, sufficient evidence existed to convince the board the discharge was improper.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall characterization of the applicant’s service was more accurately reflected by a General discharge.

The DRB results were approved by the board president on 9 December 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)