AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00420	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 11 March 2019 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge after Misconduct (Minor Infractions).  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 appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB), without counsel, via video teleconference using Zoom on 10 January 2023.  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. 

DISCUSSION:  The Discharge Review Board (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 negligently failing to report one (1) or more Airman’s use of marijuana and impeding an investigation.  The applicant’s misconduct and judgement came into question during basic training when applicant failed to refrain from discussing and/or sharing information about test material with fellow Airmen.

The applicant made contentions that the discharge was inequitable and improper because he was aware that his fellow Airmen had smoked marijuana and that he did not intentionally impede the investigation.  The applicant requested a change to his character of service.  He stated one night, he took his friends to a party at a studio that he did not attend; he stayed in the car.  When it was time to leave, only his best friend returned, and he did not smell like marijuana, nor did he appear under the influence.  The applicant stated the next day, the entire group was called in to speak with the 1st Sergeant and was informed they were all under investigation.  The applicant stated that he was not 100 percent sure of what happened or who was involved.  He stated that a few people admitted to smoking marijuana and that the entire group was punished.  And even though he did not test positive, he was given an Article 15 for failure to report the crime.  

Through the administrative actions taken by the chain of command, the applicant via his rebuttal, admitted to wrongdoing and asked for forgiveness to continue to serve.  The board concluded that the applicant’s judgment was questionable given the minor infractions collected and those infractions outweigh any positive contributions made during his air Force career.  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 discharge received by the applicant was deemed to be appropriate. 

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate his contentions, the board recommends he exercise the right to appeal the DRB’s decision to the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records.    

FINDING:  The DRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade his discharge characterization to Honorable.  
 
CONCLUSION:  After a thorough review of the available evidence, to include the Applicant’s request, summary of service, service/medical record entries, and discharge process, the Board found the discharge was proper and equitable.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall remain “General,” the narrative reason for separation shall remain “Misconduct (Minor Infractions),” and the reentry code shall remain “2B.”  The Air Force DRB (AFDRB) results were approved by the board president on XX January 2023.  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)