RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-02140
XXXXXXX, COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: YES
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded
to honorable.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
His discharge resulted from him using a substance that he later
learned to be spice. At the time of the incident he was
unaware of this fact.
He was told by the store owner that the substance was known as
herbal incense and did not include the same make-up as spice.
He deeply regrets the choices he made and takes full
responsibility for his actions.
He would like to have his discharge upgraded so that he can
become eligible for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
The applicant's complete submission is at Exhibit A.
________________________________________________________________
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
On 25 May 10, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Air Force
for a period of six years.
On 14 Nov 11, the applicant was notified by his squadron
commander that he was recommending his discharge from the Air
Force for misconduct (specifically for drug abuse). The reason
for the proposed action was the applicant received an Article
15, for disobeying a lawful general instruction by wrongfully
using spice between on or about 4 Jul 11 and 4 Aug 11 for the
purpose of altering his mood or function. The punishment imposed
was a reduction in grade to airman basic, forfeiture of $733.00
pay per month for two months, a 60-day restriction, and a
reprimand.
The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of
discharge and after consulting with legal counsel, submitted a
statement in his own behalf.
The base legal office found the case legally sufficient to
support the separation, and on 23 Nov 11, the discharge
authority directed a general (under honorable conditions)
discharge without probation and rehabilitation.
On 2 Dec 11, the applicant was discharged by reason of
misconduct (drug abuse). He served on active duty for a period
of one year, six months, and eight days.
________________________________________________________________
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial. DPSOR states that based on the
documentation on file in the master personnel records, the
discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive
requirements of the discharge instruction and was within the
discretion of the discharge authority. The applicant did not
submit any evidence or identify any errors or injustices that
occurred in the discharge processing.
DPSOR states that drug abuse is a substantial departure from the
conduct expected of an airman and warrants a general discharge
characterization. The applicants record supports a general
discharge.
AFI 36-3208, Administrative Separation of Airmen, Chapter 5,
Section H (Misconduct), paragraph 5.54, states that airmen who
abuse drugs one or more times are subject to discharge for
misconduct. Paragraph 5.54.1., defines drug abuse as illegal,
wrongful, or improper use, possession, sale, or introduction
onto a military installation of any drug. A drug is any
controlled substance as defined by Title 21, United States Code,
Section 812, or any other substance other than alcohol ingested
into the body to alter mood or function.
Discharge processing is mandatory for drug abuse. Drug use is
abuse if it is illegal, improper, or wrongful. For controlled
substances, discharge processing will always be mandatory
because it will always be abuse (i.e. illegal). If an order or
regulation prohibits use of a substance, discharge processing is
also mandatory (i.e. use is wrongful because it is done in
violation of an order or regulation). However, a substance does
not have to be illegal or banned by order or regulation. A
commander can determine a members use of a substance was
improper or wrongful based on the circumstances of the use.
The applicant used spice to alter his mood or function on
several occasions. He used spice on base, in the company of
other airmen. The commander was well within his discretion to
find the use improper or wrongful and initiate discharge action.
The complete DPSOR evaluation is at Exhibit C.
________________________________________________________________
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
On 5 Jul 13, a copy of the Air Force evaluation was forwarded to
the applicant for review and comment within 30 days (Exhibit D).
As of this date, this office has received no response.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by
existing law or regulations.
2. The application was timely filed.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of error or injustice. We took notice
of the applicant's complete submission in judging the merits of
the case; however, we agree with the opinion and recommendation
of the Air Force office of primary responsibility and adopt the
rationale expressed as the basis for our conclusion that the
applicant has not been the victim of an error or injustice.
Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we find
no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this
application.
4. The applicant's case is adequately documented and it has not
been shown that a personal appearance with or without counsel
will materially add to our understanding of the issue involved.
Therefore, the request for a hearing is not favorably
considered.
________________________________________________________________
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that
the application was denied without a personal appearance; and
that the application will only be reconsidered upon the
submission of newly discovered relevant evidence not considered
with this application.
________________________________________________________________
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2013-02140 in Executive Session on 20 Feb 14, under
the provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 30 Apr 13.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Letter, AFPC/DPSOR, dated 21 Jun 13.
Exhibit D. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 5 Jul 13.
Panel Chair
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC-2013-00791
He does not think the Air Force really tried to help him not use drugs. On 2 May 2011, the applicant was notified of his commanders intent to discharge him from the Air Force for drug abuse. ________________________________________________________________ THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT: The applicant be notified that the evidence presented did not demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; that the application was denied without a personal appearance; and that the application...
AF | BCMR | CY2011 | BC-2011-02921
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2011-02921 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: She be reinstated in the United States Air Force. A commander can determine if a members use of a substance was improper or wrongful based on the circumstances of the use. DPSOS states that based on the documentation on file in the master personnel...
AF | DRB | CY2011 | FD-2009-00730
The applicant appeared and testified before the Discharge Review Board (DRB) without counsel at Andrews — AFB on 21 Jun 2012. In his testimony , he described the effects of the products similar to smoking a Newport and described Spice as providing a longer “boost.” The fact Spice was not specifically listed as a prohibited substance until June 2010 does not exclude its use from being a basis for discharge per AFI 36-3208, paragraph 5.54, which states, "Drug abuse is incompatible with...
AF | DRB | CY2013 | FD-2013-00193_13
GENERAL: Theapplicantappealsforupgradeofdischargetohonorableandtochangethereasonand authorityforthedischarge.Theapplicantwasofferedapersonal appearancebeforetheDischarge ReviewBoard(DRB)butdeclined andrequeststhatthereviewbecompletedbasedon theavailableservicerecord.Theattachedbriefcontainsavailablepertinentdataontheapplicantandthefactorsleadingtothedischarge. FINDING: Therequestsfortheupgradeofthedischarge,andtochangeofreasonandauthorityfor dischargearedenied. ISSUE: Applicant...
AF | DRB | CY2013 | FD-2013-00353_13
GENERAL:Theapplicantappealsforupgrade ofdischargetohonorable,tochangethereason andauthorityforthedischarge,andtochangethereenlistmentcode.TheapplicantwasofferedapersonalappearancebeforetheDischargeReviewBoard(DRB)butdeclinedandrequeststhatthereviewbecompletedbasedontheavailableservicerecord. Theattachedbriefcontainsavailablepertinentdataontheapplicantandthefactorsleadingtothedischarge. FINDING:Upgradeofthedischarge,changeofreasonandauthorityfordischarge,andchangeofreenlistmentcodearedenied.
AF | BCMR | CY2014 | BC 2014 01987
On 29 Nov 11, the applicant applied to the Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) to have her discharge upgraded to honorable. The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are contained in the memorandum prepared by the Air Force office of primary responsibility (OPR), which is attached at Exhibit C. AIR FORCE EVALUATION: AFPC/DPSOR recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an error or an injustice. The applicants commander notified her she was being separated...
AF | BCMR | CY2013 | BC 2013 04045
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2013-04045 COUNSEL: NONE HEARING DESIRED: NO APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT: 1. On 11 July 2011, the applicant submitted a request to the Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) for an upgrade to his discharge. Notwithstanding the above, sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of an error or an injustice to warrant changing his narrative reason for...
AF | DRB | CY2013 | FD-2013-00490
GENERAL: Theapplicantappealsforupgradeofdischargetohonorable,tochangethereasonand authorityforthedischarge,andtochangethereenlistment code. TheapplicantappearedandtestifiedbeforetheDischargeReviewBoard(DRB),withoutcounsel,atJoint BaseAndrews,Maryland,on21August2014. Theattachedbrief contains availablepertinentdataontheapplicantandthefactorsleadingtothedischarge.
AF | DRB | CY2013 | FD 2013 00490
GENERAL: Theapplicantappealsforupgradeofdischargetohonorable,tochangethereasonand authorityforthedischarge,andtochangethereenlistment code. TheapplicantappearedandtestifiedbeforetheDischargeReviewBoard(DRB),withoutcounsel,atJoint BaseAndrews,Maryland,on21August2014. Theattachedbrief contains availablepertinentdataontheapplicantandthefactorsleadingtothedischarge.
AF | BCMR | CY2012 | BC-2012-02116
The applicant contends he is innocent of the charges preferred and asserts that, by deductive reasoning, he has identified who the confidential informant must have been, and that individual now recants any statement he may have made to the Air Force Office of Special Investigation regarding whether the applicant every smoked Spice in his presence. A complete copy of the AFLOA/JAJM evaluation is at Exhibit C. AFPC/DPSID recommends denial of the applicants request to have his referral EPR...