RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:	  


	BOARD DATE:	  1 April 2008
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080000203 


	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

Mr. Michael L. Engle

Analyst

The following members, a quorum, were present:


Mr. Lester Echols

Chairperson

Mr. Joe R. Schroeder

Member

Mr. Larry W. Racster

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 discharge under other than honorable conditions be upgraded to honorable.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he fell into depression, asked for help, and got none.  He started using heroin and other drugs and was enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program that did not help him.  He further states that he was wronged and it would be in the interest of justice to upgrade his discharge.  

3.  The applicant provides no supporting documentation.

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.  On 23 March 1976, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 4 years.  He completed his initial training and was awarded military occupational specialty 36C (Telephone Installer and Lineman).

3.  On 17 August 1976, the applicant was assigned for duty as a wireman with the 123rd Signal Battalion, in the Federal Republic of Germany.

4.  On 24 August 1977, the applicant was promoted to the rank of specialist four, pay grade E-4.

5.  On 5 May 1978, the applicant accepted nonjudicial punishment (NJP) under the provisions of Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice, for failure to go to his appointed place of duty.  The punishment included reduction to private first class, pay grade E-3 (suspended) and 14 days extra duty.  On 10 May 1978, the imposed punishment of a suspended reduction was vacated.

6.  On 23 June1978, charges were preferred under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for violation of Article 134, for wrongful possession of heroin, wrongful possession of marijuana, wrongful sale of heroin, and for wrongful transfer of heroin.
  
7.  On 13 July 1978, 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 under other than honorable conditions 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. 

8.  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 to 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.   

9.  On 18 July 1978, the separation authority approved the applicant’s request for discharge and directed that he be issued an Under Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge Certificate.  On 24 July 1978, the applicant was discharged accordingly.  He had completed a total of 2 years, 4 months, and 2 days of creditable active military service.

10.  On 20 July 1978, a medical examination found him to be qualified for separation with a physical profile of 111111.  At a mental status evaluation the applicant's behavior was normal.  He was fully alert and oriented and displayed a level mood [not depressed].  His thinking was clear, his thought content normal, and his memory good.  There was no significant mental illness.  The applicant was mentally responsible.  He was able to distinguish right from wrong and to adhere to the right.

11.  There is no indication that the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for an upgrade of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations.

12.  Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations) sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 10 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, that 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.  A discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate.

13.  The UCMJ provides for a maximum punishment of a punitive discharge and confinement for 5 years for wrongful possession of heroin. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's voluntary request for separation under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, for the good of the service, to avoid trial by court-martial, was administratively correct and in conformance with applicable regulations.  There is no indication that the request was made under coercion or duress.

2.  The type of discharge directed and the reasons therefore were appropriate considering all of the facts of the case.

3.  The applicant's contention that he fell into a state of depression is not supported by any evidence of record.  Even so, being depressed would not justify the wrongful possession, sale, and transfer of illegal drugs. 

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

5.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__JRS __  __LE  ___  _LWR  __  DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that 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.




______ Lester Echols ___
          CHAIRPERSON


INDEX

CASE ID
AR
SUFFIX

RECON
YYYYMMDD
DATE BOARDED
YYYYMMDD
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)
DATE OF DISCHARGE
YYYYMMDD
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY
AR . . . . .  
DISCHARGE REASON

BOARD DECISION
(NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS)
REVIEW AUTHORITY

ISSUES         1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.