My question involves criminal law for the state of: Georgia

I live in albany ga i was arrested for concealed weapon for a big kitchen knife i had at a event this was my first offense for concealed weapon so it was a misdamenor now a year later im trying to enlist in the air force b/c there is nothing in Albany but trouble but i havent went to court for my charge so i went and got a background check to send to my recruiter but it had two charges on it the concealed weapon and a possesion charge(weed) both where stated on the background check as misdamenors when i call district attorney office to see if i could get them dropped to enlist they told me that my concealed weapon charge had been upgraded to a feloney

im not sure what to do it was my first concealed weapon charge and i only had the knife b/c this dude kept threating me but instead of telling the police i did the wrong thing at the scene my parents pullde me away and we left but i dropped the nife at the scene a few ppl saw i went home then a few hours later the police called my hose and said they wanted me to come down to tlk to them this is when they arrested me the ppl over the event called the police and reported it but afterwards did not want to charge me with anything but the city says they cant drop it

after this incedent i was mainly focused on enlisting in the air force to get away from albany i went to a therpist for anger management i enrolled in a local college and got my credits needed to enlist now this is the only thing holding me back

i dont understand how they can make my first offense a felony

can some plz help
thanx