AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2022-00113	
					
SUMMARY:  The applicant was discharged on 4 November 2021 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with an Entry Level Separation for Erroneous Entry.  The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.

The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

The applicant requested the board be completed based on a records only review.

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. 

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 contended his discharge was inequitable because it was based on an isolated incident that occurred prior to his joining the military and without his knowledge.  He claimed he never would have purposefully ingested any item containing THC, or any other drug.  He further claimed he put forth 100% effort into joining the Air Force and never would have intentionally put his career in jeopardy.  He requested permission to reenter the Air Force.

A review of the applicant’s record revealed he tested positive for THC upon initial screening for substance use at Basic Military Training (BMT).  He stated in his response to the discharge action that he unknowingly consumed a brownie laced with THC at a party held in his honor before his departure for BMT.  His mother, an Air Force Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, submitted a reference letter on his behalf claiming, unbeknownst to her, someone brought THC brownies to a party at her house and that she wasn’t aware of the situation until after her son tested positive for THC.  

The DRB found the applicant’s contention without merit.  Airmen are subject to discharge for erroneous enlistment if substance use is found during Initial Entry on Active Duty (IEAD) screening.  The board determined there was no objective evidence to support the applicant’s claim that he did not knowingly ingest drugs prior to his entry into the service.  

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable and to change the reenlistment eligibility code to 2C or 3K.  The DRB also voted unanimously to deny changing the discharge narrative reason to Secretarial Authority.
 
CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s issues, summary of service, service/medical record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain, the narrative reason for separation shall remain, and the reentry code shall remain.  The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 17 June 2022.  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)