Application Receipt Date: 040409 Prior Review Prior Review Date: None I. Applicant Request Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See enclosed DD Form 293 and attached document submitted by the applicant. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Yes No Tender Offer: ????? See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Original Character of Discharge Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 031230 Chapter: 15 AR: 635-200 Reason: Homosexual Admission RE: SPD: JRB Unit/Location: Rear Detachment, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC 28310 Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record DOB: 830519 Current ENL Date: 010830 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 4 Mos, 1 Days ????? Total Service: 2 Yrs, 4 Mos, 1 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 11B1P Infantryman GT: 110 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Afghanistan (020805-030116) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM (2), NDSM, ASR, CIB V. Post-Discharge Activity Home of Record: Wakefield, RI 02879-0000 Current Address: 310 Middlebridge Wakefield RI 02879 Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 15, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual admission with a characterization of service of honorable. On 20 November 2003, the applicant admitted to his unit commander in a sworn statement that he was homosexual and feel that he has a natural propensity to engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex. He was advised of his rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service with issuance of an honorable discharge. The intermediate commander recommended approval with an honorable discharge. The separation authority waived further rehabilitation efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of honorable. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 15 of that regulation states that active homosexuality is incompatible with military service and provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of members who actively engage in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrate a tendency to engage in homosexual conduct. Army regulation states that when the sole basis for separation is homosexuality, a discharge under other than honorable conditions may be issued only if such characterization is warranted in accordance with chapter 3, section III, and if there is a finding that during the current term of service the soldier attempted, solicited, or committed a homosexual act by using force, coercion or intimidation; with a person under 16 years of age; with a subordinate in circumstances that violate customary military superior subordinate relationships; openly in public view; for compensation; aboard a military vessel or aircraft; or in another location subject to military control if the conduct had, or was likely to have had, an adverse impact on discipline, good order, or morale due to the close proximity of other soldiers of the Armed Forces. In all other cases, the type of discharge will reflect the character of the soldier’s overall record of service. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issue and document he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit a change to the narrative reason for discharge on the applicant's DD Form 214. The analyst noted that the applicant admitted to his unit commander in a sworn statement that he was homosexual and have a propensity and intent to engage in homosexual acts. Subsequent to the applicant's admission, the unit commander appropriately initiated discharge proceedings under the provisions of Chapter 15, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual admission, with a characterization of service of honorable. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's contention, however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Homosexual Admission", and the separation code is "JRB." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. Additionally, at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “4.” An RE code of “4” can not be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 30 May 2008 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: ????? Witnesses/Observers: ????? Exhibits Submitted: ????? VIII. Board Decision The discharge was: Proper Improper Equitable Inequitable The characterization of service was: Proper Improper Equitable Inequitable The narrative reasons were: Equitable Inequitable DRB voting record: Change 0 No change 5 - Character Change 0 No change 5 - Reason (Board member names available upon request) IX. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. Case report reviewed and verified by: ?????, Examiner X. Board Action Directed No Change Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA XI. Certification Signature and Date Approval Authority: MARK E. COLLINS Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board Official: CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON DATE: 07 July 2008 Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, Secretary Recorder ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20070004977 Applicant Name: ______________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 6 pages