Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/USAF Discharge policies.

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/30/2009


Question
My husband is to be discharged from the AF for marijuana. His commander told him he was debating on sending him to jail for a month but the very next day his lawyer? (ADC?) told him that he would not go to jail, he would get a general discharge, lose half pay, rank, and it wouldn't go on his record? My husband had 35 mg of marijuana in his system. He was also told to be ready to go by June 1st by ADC. His coworkers have told him that they AF will help with our move back home? Is this true at all? I myself find that hard to believe.

Answer
Megan,
First of all, whoever told him it wouldn't go on his record is crazy.
If he only gets a discharge and looses a stripe he's lucky.  As for moving, that depends upon if his discharge is Honorable or under Other Than Honorable conditions.  I suspect it will be OTH.  Yes, normally the AF will pay for his move.  When he initially joined, the AF guaranteed him one free move back to his "home of record."  It all depends upon the terms of his discharge.

His ADC representative should be able to answer that for sure, that's part of their job to answer those things for him.
I'm sorry this had to happen to you.
Best of luck.
Colonel H

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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MARK A. HOWELL

Expertise

All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.

Experience

Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.

Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc., Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member, North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member

Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History. Two books submitted for publication.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude) Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude) Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL

Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit Defense MSM MSM x 5 Joint Commendation Mdl AF Commendation Medal Army Commendation Mdl Joint Achievement Mdl AF Achievement Medal Outstanding Volunteer Mdl

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