Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/10/31 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that his discharge is inequitable because it was based on one Article 15 in his over two and a half years of good service. It has been almost a year since this incident and he has learned from his mistake. He would like an upgrade of his discharge in order to get school benefits. He is currently unemployed and homeless. He was recently divorced and now suffers from PTSD. He would like an upgrade of his discharge to honorable to help him get a better job and improve his life and future. 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: 110316 Discharge Received: Date: 110414 Chapter: 14-12c(1) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (AWOL) RE: SPD: JKD Unit/Location: A Co, 701st Bde Spt Bn, Fort Riley, KS Time Lost: 21 days, AWOL (101119-101209), mode of return is unknown. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 110113, AWOL (101119-101210), disobeyed a lawful order from a commissioned officer (101012), reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $733 for two months (suspended), and 45 days of extra duty (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 080227 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 03 Yrs, 00 Mos, 27 Days ????? Total Service: 03 Yrs, 00 Mos, 27 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 88M10/Motor Trans Opr GT: 103 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (090825-100703) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, CAB V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: San Antonio, TX Post Service Accomplishments: None listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 16 March 2011, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c(1), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—commission of a serious offense for going AWOL (101119-101209) and for failing to obey a lawful order (101210), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 22 March 2011, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement on his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed action and recommended approval with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 12 April 2011, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s discharge with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. The record contains a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand dated 15 October 2010 for driving under the influence. 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 issues submitted with the application, the analyst determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable. The applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By his misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant’s service was marred by a Field Grade Article 15 for being AWOL and a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand for driving while intoxicated. Moreover, the analyst noted that even though a single 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 a single incident provides the basis for a characterization. The analyst having examined all the circumstances determined that the applicant's single 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 single incident of misconduct clearly diminished the quality of the applicant's service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant’s service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. The analyst acknowledges the applicant’s in-service accomplishments and considered the quality of his service during the initial portion of the enlistment under review which included a combat tour. However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently mitigating to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge as shown by the repeated incidents of serious misconduct and by the negative counseling statements contained in his service record. Furthermore, the record does not support the issue that the applicant suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and no evidence to support it has been submitted by the applicant, that the discharge was the result of any medical condition. The analyst also noted the applicant's issues about his desire to have better job opportunities and the benefits of the GI Bill. However, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. Additionally, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or 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. 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: 14 March 2012 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: None 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 Board Vote: Character - Change 1 No change 4 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) X. Board Action Directed Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA XI. Certification Signature Approval Authority: EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board BONITA E. TROTMAN Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army Secretary Recorder 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 AR20110021883 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages