Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/11/09 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states that "I have made the changes in my life that made me a better, more family orientated man. I made mistakes when i was in the army and regret it. I am working hard and going to school at night presueing my degree. I ask the board for a second chance to take this blemish off my record. This discharge does not represent the 40 first honorable months I proudly served in the military." 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: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 050718 Chapter: 14-12c(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: HQ & HQ Company, Rear Detachment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Replacement, Fort Carson, CO. 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: 24 Current ENL Date: 010823 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 3 Yrs, 10 Mos, 26 Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 10 Mos, 26 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 52D10 Power Generation Equip Repairer GT: 110 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Kuwait & Iraq (030401-040331) Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR (2) V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states that he is working hard and going to school at night pursuing his degree. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to the 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. The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, paragraph 14-12c(2) by reason of misconduct, with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. 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 6 July 2005, DA, Installation Management Agency, Headquarters, US Army Garrison, Fort Carson, CO, discharged the applicant from the Regular Army with an effective date of: 18 July 2005. 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, but a general discharge 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 and the issue submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant’s discharge. The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to the applicant's discharge from the Army. However, the applicant’s 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 the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, paragraph 14-12c(2) by reason of misconduct, with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. 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." 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. The applicant contends that he has made the changes in his life that makes him a better, more family orientated man, and that he made mistakes when he was in the Army and regret it. He is working hard and going to school at night pursuing his degree and ask the board for a second chance to take this blemish off his record. The applicant is to be commended for his efforts. However, the analyst considered the applicant’s available military records (i.e., DD Form 214, which shows the separation authority; reason and characterization; separation code and the reentry eligibility code ) during the initial portion of the enlistment under review, and based on the afforementioned document the analyst determined that this service was not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge. Furthermore, 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. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it will still be his responsibility to meet the burden of proof since the evidence is not available in the official record. Additionally, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the analyst found that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, reentry (RE) code as “3.” In view of the foregoing, the analyst recommends to the Board that an administrative change be made to block 27, reentry (RE) code to read “4” as approved by the separation authority. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the analyst presumes government regularity in the discharge process, and except for the foregoing modification, concludes that it appears 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: 27 August 2010 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: The applicant submitted an on line application dated 3 November 2009. 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. Further, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, reentry (RE) code as “3.” In view of the error, the Board voted to administratively correct block 27, reentry (RE) code to “4" as approved by the separation authority. Except for the foregoing modification, the Board determined the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it 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: No Change Other: The Board voted to administratively change block 27, Reentry Eligibility Code to “4" and directs ARBA Support Division St. Louis to correct block 27 to reflect the Reentry Eligibility Code “4,” and issue a new DD Form 214. RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No Change Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090019552 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages