AIR FORCE DISCHARGE REVIEW AFDRB DECISIONAL DOCUMENT  
	CASE NUMBER

FD-2022-00564	
					
SUMMARY: 

The applicant was discharged on 07 December 2015 in accordance with AFI 36-3208 with a “General” Discharge for “Misconduct (Drug Abuse).”  The Applicant appealed for an upgrade to his discharge characterization and narrative reason.

The applicant requested the board be completed based on a record only review.  The applicant was not represented by counsel.    

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 Air Force Discharge Review AFDRB (AFDRB), 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 a Letter of Reprimand.  The applicant’s misconduct included drug abuse and failure to pay his debts. 

The applicant made no contentions that the discharge was inequitable or improper.  The applicant stated that we all make mistakes sometimes, but what you do after the mistake makes the difference.  He stated he is requesting an upgrade to access VA benefits.  

The DRB conducted a thorough review of the applicant’s service records and found no information to indicate the circumstances surrounding his discharge were inequitable or improper.  After thorough consideration of the evidence in this case, the AFDRB determined the applicant received the appropriate discharge for the nature of his misconduct.  

FINDING:  The AFDRB voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s request to upgrade their discharge characterization to “Honorable.”  The Board 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 “General,” the narrative reason for separation shall remain “Misconduct (Drug Abuse),” and the reentry code shall remain “2B.” 

If the applicant can provide additional information to substantiate their contentions, the DRB recommends they exercise the right to make a personal appearance before the DRB or directly appeal the decision to the AF Board for Correction of Military Records.

The AFDRB results were approved by the board president on 13 March 2023.  If desired, the Applicant can request a list of the AFDRB members and their votes by writing to:  

Air Force Review Board 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)