Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/05/19 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, "Being apart of the Army is something I'm very proud of. It was my first job so my first real experience in anything i have ever done. When I decided to tell my 1sg of my sexuality, i was in process of settling down and having a family and i felt that i could not be a fultime parent and hold a fulltime job at the same time. Now since being out, i feel i cannot give my child everything he wants as i don't have employment and have been struggling to find a job since my discharge. If the Army could take me back, I'd be back in a second. I was very proud to have served in Iraq for my country and will be willing to do it all over again. I feel my sexuality shouldn't be based on the fact that I woke up everyday at 6 in the morning, tied up my boots and put on my uniform just like everyone else did. I am a soldier and will always be. The military is losing out on a dedicated soldier who did nothing but perform all her warrior tasks and drills everyday". 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: 080319 Discharge Received: Date: 080417 Chapter: 15-3b AR: 635-200 Reason: Homosexual Conduct (Admission) RE: SPD: JRB Unit/Location: HHC 30th Engineer BN, Ft Bragg, NC 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: 20 Current ENL Date: 070920 immediate reenlistment Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 0 Yrs, 6Mos, 28Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 02Mos, 01Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 050217-070919/HD Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 21L10 Lithographer GT: 83 EDU: NIF Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (060120-060820) Decorations/Awards: AAM, AGCM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ICM, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Ionia, MI Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 19 March 2008, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual conduct with an honorable discharge. The applicant admitted to her First Sergeant that she was in love with a female and that she planned on getting married to her in the near future and that she was homosexual and had engaged or had the propensity to engage in homosexual/bisexual acts. She was advised of her rights. On 20 March 2008, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, waived her right to an administrative separation board, and did not a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an honorable discharge. On 31 March 2008, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with an honorable discharge. 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. The 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 and the issue submitted with the application, 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 applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual admission with an honorable discharge. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Separation for 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. Further, at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “4.” An RE code of “4” cannot be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment. The analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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: 10 March 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 0 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: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090008707 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 pages