AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00322 	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 20 April 2020 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge characterization and the Narrative Reason for Separation was Misconduct (Drug Abuse). The applicant appealed for an upgrade of his discharge characterization, a change to the discharge narrative reason, and a change to the reenlistment eligibility code.

The applicant was not 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 an Article 15.  His misconduct included wrongful use of codeine.
 
The applicant contended the discharge was inequitable and improper.  The applicant requested an upgrade of his discharge characterization.   The applicant stated that he was falsely accused of drug use while serving in the military.  He stated that he had one false positive on a urinalysis that leaked in transit to the laboratory.  The applicant stated that he followed up with a clear UA and passed multiple polygraphs.  The applicant stated that this discharge is impacting his ability to obtain his GI bill which he earned.

The DRB reviewed the applicants entire record and determined there was not sufficient evidence to support the applicants’ contentions of impropriety and inequity.  While the record indicated a sample leak in transit, it did not indicate that results from the test were invalidated due to the sample leak.  Additionally, the applicant’s commander was aware of the sample leak at the time of the applicant’s discharge and did not find that the sample leak invalidated the test results.  Based on this evidence no impropriety existed.  There was not sufficient evidence to indicate that the actions of the applicant’s chain of command were inequitable regarding the consequences the applicant received for his misconduct.  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 shall remain, the narrative reason for separation shall remain misconduct (drug abuse) and the reentry code shall remain.  The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 9 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)