AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00317 	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 23 July 2014 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge characterization and Narrative reason was Drug Possession and Misconduct. The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization and a change to the discharge narrative reason.

The applicant was represented by counsel and 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’s record of service included multiple Letters of Reprimand. His misconduct included failed to go to appointed place of duty at prescribed time, failed to be in dormitory for Call to Quarters, rode in private motor vehicle when not authorized and wrongful possession of a controlled substance. 

The applicant requested an upgrade to his discharge characterization and his narrative reason for separation.   The applicant contended that his discharge was inequitable due to his quality of service, circumstances surrounding the incident leading to his discharge, and his post-separation conduct and reputation.  The applicant stated that his total quality of service demonstrates that he was a high-achieving airman whose disciplinary incidents are significantly mitigated by context.  He stated that two Airmen alleged that they heard him admit to smoking marijuana, but the accusation was directly contradicted by six other Airmen who had been with the applicant.  The applicant stated that the Air Force closed the investigation based on the lack of evidence and a negative urinalysis test.  The applicant stated that despite the dismissal of the civilian charges, the Air Force opened a UIF and, after his arrest sought to separate him from service. The applicant stated that he received multiple LORs for failure to be in his dormitory for call to quarters, riding in a private vehicle, and arriving a few minutes late for an appointment.
  
The DRB conducted a thorough review of the applicant’s service records.  The applicant contended that the civilian charges for drug possession were dropped, but he still received administrative action.  Because the Air Force defines drug abuse as, “illegal, wrongful, or improper use, possession, sale, transfer, or introduction onto a military installation,” the Board determined that the administrative actions taken by the applicant’s chain of command were appropriate.  The applicant had a series of misconduct that collectively indicated a serious departure from the quality of service required for honorable service characterization.  The board concluded the negative aspects of the applicant’s service outweighed the positive contributions he made during his Air Force career.    

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 or 3K.
 
CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s issues, summary of service, service record, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable. Therefore, the awarded characterization of service, the narrative reason for separation, and the reentry code shall not change. The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 1 November 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)