Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/04/24 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 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: Date: 970820 Discharge Received: Date: 970915 Chapter: 7 Sec V AR: 635-200 Reason: Fraudulent Entry RE: SPD: JDA Unit/Location: M Co, 244th QM Bn, Fort Lee, VA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 28 Current ENL Date: 970327 Current ENL Term: 03 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 05Mos, 19Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 05Mos, 19Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92Y10/Unit Supply Specialist GT: 96 EDU: 2 Yrs College Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 20 August 1997, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 7, paragraph 7-17, AR 635-200, by reason of fraudulent entry, for failure to ensure the listing of all charges which he was aware of, with a uncharacterized discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval with a uncharacterized discharge. On 10 September 1997, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of uncharacterized. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 7, paragraph 7-17, of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, that a fraudulent entry is the procurement of an enlistment, reenlistment, or period of active service through any deliberate material misrepresentation, omission, or concealment of information which, if known and considered by the Army at the time of enlistment or reenlistment, might have resulted in rejection. This includes all disqualifying information requiring a waiver. A Soldier who concealed his or her conviction by civil court of a felonious offense normally will not be considered for retention. Soldiers separated under this Chapter may be awarded an honorable discharge, or a general, under honorable conditions discharge, or a discharge under other than honorable conditions. If in an entry level status the characterization will be uncharacterized. 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 documents, and the issues he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The evidence of record shows that the applicant failed to ensure the listing of all charges which he was aware of and was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 7, paragraph 7-17, AR 635-200 by reason of fraudulent entry. The applicant’s service was uncharacterized because he was in entry-level status. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. Furthermore, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of paragraph 7-17, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Fraudulent Entry" and the separation code is "JDA." 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. The analyst noted the applicant's issues that he is unable to receive any help or benefits because of what's on his DD Form 214 and that the problem he is experiencing is not his fault. However, the analyst found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. 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. Further, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. 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: 2 April 2010 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 0 No change 5 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: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090008302 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages