Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/01/15 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents submitted by the applicant. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: NIF Date: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 960605 Chapter: 14-12c(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: B Co, 4-64 AR Bn, Fort Stewart, GA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 950216 Current ENL Term: 3 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 03Mos, 20Days ????? Total Service: 01 Yrs, 03Mos, 20Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 19K10 M1 Armor Crewman GT: 89 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Summerton, SC Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant submitted numerous certificates of training and completion; specifically an entry level Commerical Motor Vehicle Operators. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The applicant’s record is void of the complete facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to a discharge from the Army. However the evidence of record shows that on 17 May 1996, the administrative separation board convened. The applicant appeared with counsel. The board recommended that the applicant be discharged with issuance of a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. Further, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature. The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, Paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct, with an under other than honorable conditions discharge. Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JKK (i.e., misconduct-abuse of illegal drugs), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of " 3." On 29 May 1996, DA, HQ, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and Fort Stewart, Fort Stewart, GA, Orders 150-0026, discharged the applicant from the Regular Army, effective date: 5 June 1996. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for misconduct. Specific categories include minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, and commission of a serious offense, to include abuse of illegal drugs, convictions by civil authorities and desertion or absence without leave. Action will be taken to separate a member for misconduct when it is clearly established that rehabilitation is impractical or unlikely to succeed. Army policy states that an under other than honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate, however, a general under honorable conditions or an honorable discharge may be granted. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s available military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The applicant’s record is void of the complete facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to a discharge from the Army. However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature. This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and the analyst presumed Government regularity in the discharge process. The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, Paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-abuse of illegal drugs, with an under other than honorable conditions discharge. Barring evidence to the contrary, the analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue regarding the introduction of limited use evidence during the administrative separation board proceedings; however, the applicant initially introduced the limited use information to the General Court Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA) in a letter informing the GCMCA that he was a self referral to ADAPCP, thereby nullifying the limited use policy in the discharge process. Further, even though an isolated incident, the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army. The applicable Army regulation states that there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by an isolated incident provides the basis for a characterization. The analyst having examined all the circumstances determined that the applicant's isolated incident of misconduct did indeed adversely affect the quality of service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. This isolated incident of misconduct clearly diminished the quality of the applicant's service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. Additionally, the analyst noted the many accomplishments outlined in the documents with the application. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. Finally, the analyst determined that the applicant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) does not contain all of the documents from the separation packet that would indicate the reason for his separation from the Army. If the applicant desires to appear before a personal appearance Board, the burden of proof remains with the applicant to provide the appropriate documents or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action for the Board’s consideration. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 28 October 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. 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. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 1 No change 4 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090002436 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages