Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/01/08 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states: “I WAS PROCESSED OUT UNDER MISCONDUCT, I REALIZE THAT I DID SMOKE MRIJUANA BUT I COUL NOT GET AWAY FROM THE PAIN THAT I WAS UNDER AFTER MY TOUR IN IRAQ. I HAVE LETTERS OF RECOMENDATION FROM MY PLATOON SGT. PLEASE REVIEW MY MEDICAL RECORDS FOR ALL THE ISSUES I WAS DEALING WITH. HAD SURGURY ON MY ARM, BULGEING DISK IN MY BACK, PTSD, TINNITUS AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES.” 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: 090717 Discharge Received: Date: 090814 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Serious Offense) RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: G Co, 703d Bde Spt Bn, Fort Stewart, GA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090702, wrongfully used marijuana (090401-090501), reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $699 for two months, 45 days of extra duty and restriction (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090417, wrongfully used marijuana (090217-090317), reduction to E-2, forfeiture of $782 for two months, 45 days of extra duty and restriction (FG) Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 26 Current ENL Date: 060412 Current ENL Term: 4 Years 18 weeks Current ENL Service: 03 Yrs, 04Mos, 03Days ????? Total Service: 03 Yrs, 04Mos, 03Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 88M10/Motor Transp Opr GT: 110 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (071010-090228) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, ICM w/CS, OSR 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 17 July 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason misconduct—commission of a serious offense, for wrongfully using marijuana, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 22 July 2009, the applicant waived 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 Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 29 July 2009, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 of this regulation 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 carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable. The analyst determined that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. The applicant, by violating the Army's policy not to possess or use illegal drugs, compromised the trust and confidence placed in a Soldier. The applicant, as a Soldier, had the duty to support and abide by the Army's drug policies. By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and diminished the quality of service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant contends that he was suffering from PTSD; however, the record was void of any evidence of PTSD or injuries sustained by the applicant while in Iraq and the applicant did not provide any corroborating evidence of the aforementioned medical issue. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant’s issue about his many medical issues and determined that the applicant had many legitimate avenues through which to obtain assistance or relief, without committing the misconduct (drug abuse), which led to the separation action under review. Therefore, the analyst determined 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: 15 October 2010 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 149, character reference letter. 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 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 AR20100001015 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages