Air Force Discharge Review Board

Air Force Discharge Review Board (AFDRB) — DD Form 293, 15-Year Window

What AFDRB Does

AFDRB Function

The Air Force Discharge Review Board affords former USAF members the opportunity to request review of their discharge.

Exceptions

AFDRB Exceptions

Except for:

Bad-conduct discharge
Dishonorable discharge
Dismissal by general court-martial

15-Year Window

Within 15 years of the date of separation.

Review Objective

The objective of a discharge review is to examine an applicant's administrative discharge and consider changing:

The characterization of service
The reason for discharge
The re-enlistment code (when applicable)

…based on standards of propriety or equity.

Briefing at Separation

Discharge Briefing

Airmen separated under circumstances (except retirement) that make them ineligible for reenlistment, and officers discharged under adverse conditions, are briefed by the military personnel section at the time of their discharge about the discharge review board process.

Provided Items

AFDRB Provided Items

They are provided with:

A discharge review fact sheet
DD Form 293, *Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States*

Statutory Right of Personal Appearance

Personal Appearance = Statutory Right

A personal appearance before the discharge review board is a statutory right.

Appearance Methods

The applicant or the applicant's counsel may:

Appear before the board, OR
Address the board via video teleconference

Procedures

AFDRB Procedures

Procedures allow the applicant latitude in presenting:

Evidence
Witnesses
Testimony in support of the applicant's case

Documentary Review

A board may also review the case based on:

Documentation in the military record
Any additional evidence provided by the applicant