RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:	  


	BOARD DATE:	  28 February 2008
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20070016196 


	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.


Ms. Catherine C. Mitrano

Director

Ms. Jeanne Marie Rowan

Analyst

The following members, a quorum, were present:


Mr. Richard T. Dunbar

Chairperson

Ms. Marla J. N. Troup

Member

Mr. David R. Gallagher

Member

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, that his undesirable discharge be upgraded to a general discharge under honorable conditions.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that his infractions were not of the seriousness to be denied services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and that he was never advised of this additional punishment at the time he signed and agreed to early termination of his enlistment contract. 

3.  The applicant did not provided any documents in support of his application. 

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant's record shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 27 April 1971 for a period of 2 years.  He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded the military occupational specialty (MOS) 36K (Field Wireman).  The highest rank he attained while serving on active duty was private/pay grade E-2.

3.  The applicant’s personnel record reveals a history of acceptance of nonjudicial punishment under the provisions of Article 15, UCMJ on five separate occasions for the following infractions:  on 1 June 1971, for dereliction of duty and failure to remain on guard post; on 21 June 1971, for failure to go to his appointed place of duty; on 29 December 1971, for twice disobeying the lawful orders of a superior commissioned officer; on 16 February 1972, for being absent without authority and not being in the prescribed uniform; and on 8 May 1972, for failure to go to his appointed place of duty.  

4.  On 18 April 1972, the applicant was adjudged by a Special Court-Martial of two specifications of violating Article 121, UCMJ.  He was sentenced to forfeiture of $150.00 a month for four months and confinement at hard labor for six months, which was suspended.    

5.  On 13 March 1973, court-martial charges were preferred against the applicant for stealing an RCA Victor black and white television and for stealing a record player/radio from two Soldiers while stationed on Fort Meade, Maryland.  The applicant was placed in pre-trail confinement on 12 March 1973 pending court-martial.

6.  On 14 March 1973, the applicant consulted with legal counsel and was advised of the basis for the contemplated trial by court-martial, the maximum permissible punishment authorized under the UCMJ, the possible effects of an undesirable discharge, and of the procedures and rights that were available to him.  Subsequent to receiving this legal counsel, the applicant voluntarily requested discharge for the good of the service, in lieu of trial by court-martial.

7.  In his request for discharge, the applicant indicated that he understood that by requesting discharge, he was admitting guilt to the charge against him, or of a lesser included offense, that also authorized the imposition of a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge.  He further acknowledged he understood that if his discharge request was approved, he could be deprived of many or all Army benefits, that he could be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and that he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State law.  The applicant did not submit a statement on his behalf. 

8.  On 26 March 1973, the separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge and directed that he receive an under other than honorable conditions characterization of service and that an Undesirable Discharge Certificate be issued.   

9.  On 29 March 1973, the applicant was discharged accordingly.  The DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) the applicant was issued at the time of his discharge confirms he was discharged and his characterization of service was under other than honorable conditions.  This form further confirms that he completed 1 year, 3 months, and 3 days of creditable active military service.

10.  There is no evidence that the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for upgrade of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations.
11.  Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 10 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, which a member who has committed an offense or offenses for which the authorized punishment includes a punitive discharge may at any time after the charges have been preferred, submit a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trail by court-martial.  At the time, general or undesirable discharges were normally considered appropriate.

12.  Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7a, provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law.  The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the member’s service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel (emphasis added), or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate.  Whenever there is doubt, it is to be resolved in favor of the individual.

13.  Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7b, provides that a general discharge is a separation from the Army under honorable conditions.  When authorized, it is issued to a Soldier whose military record is satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge.  A characterization of 
under honorable conditions may be issued only when the reason for the Soldier’s separation specifically allows such characterization.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION:

1.  The applicant's record shows he was charged with the commission of offenses punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge.  Discharges under the provisions of Chapter 10 of Army Regulation 635-200 are voluntary requests for discharge in lieu of trail by court-martial.  All requirements of law and regulation were met, and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  

2.  Based on his record of indiscipline and punitive offenses, the applicant's service clearly does not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel.  This misconduct also renders his service unsatisfactory.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to a general discharge or an honorable discharge.

3.  The Army Board for Correction of Military Records does not upgrade discharges or characterization of service solely to allow a Veteran to qualify for Veterans benefits.  The applicant acknowledged in his own hand, on 14 March 1973, that he would be denied Veterans benefits if he received an Undesirable Discharge Certificate. 

4.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy that requirement

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__RTD__  __DRG__  __MJNT__  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.




____Richard T. Dunbar____
          CHAIRPERSON




INDEX

CASE ID
AR
SUFFIX

RECON

DATE BOARDED
20080228
TYPE OF DISCHARGE

DATE OF DISCHARGE

DISCHARGE AUTHORITY

DISCHARGE REASON

BOARD DECISION
DENY
REVIEW AUTHORITY

ISSUES         1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.