AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

 FD-2022-00490	

SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 7 July 2022 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a General discharge characterization and 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 the applicant requested the board be completed based on a record 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 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 an Article 15 and a Letter of Reprimand.  His misconduct included wrongfully using marijuana and testing positive for marijuana on re-inspection.
 
The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant stated that he wants to continue his education with the GI bill.  He stated he deployed in 2020 and received several medals for his service.  The applicant requests that the board review his career history and show mercy and consideration. 

Although the applicant requested mercy for his discharge, the DRB can only grant an upgrade if there is evidence of an inequity or impropriety in the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s discharge.  The DRB reviewed the applicant’s entire service record and found no evidence of inequity or impropriety to warrant an upgrade of the discharge.  In addition, the DRB determined the applicant did not provide evidence to indicate why his discharge should be upgraded.  Also, the Board found no evidence to indicate the applicant was unaware of the Air Force’s policy of zero tolerance for illegal drug use.  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.

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 and equitable.  Therefore, the awarded characterization of service shall not change.  The Air Force DRB (AFDRB) results were approved by the board president on 1 February 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)