IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	        30 October 2008

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080013927 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, that his under other than honorable conditions discharge be upgraded.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he is asking for forgiveness for going absent without leave (AWOL).  He contends that he was young, and inexperienced.  He had never been away from home, and he was scared.  He continues that he had just lost his grandfather and his mother was suffering from seizures.      

3.  The applicant provides no additional documentary evidence 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 records show he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on          19 December 1973.  On 1 April 1974, he was ordered to active duty for training for the purpose of completing Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training (AIT).  Upon completion of AIT, he was awarded military occupational specialty 13B (Field Artillery Crewman).  

3.  On 18 June 1976, the applicant was involuntarily ordered to active duty for   20 months with a report date of 26 July 1976.

4.  A DD Form 458 (Charge Sheet), dated 21 June 1977, shows the applicant went AWOL on 26 July 1976 and he returned to military control on 2 June 1977.

5.  On 24 June 1977, the applicant consulted with counsel and requested discharge for the good of the service under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations), chapter 10.  He acknowledged in his request that he understood he may be discharged under conditions other than honorable and furnished an under other than honorable conditions discharge; that he may be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration; and that he may be ineligible for many or all benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State law.  He also acknowledged that he may expect to encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life because of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.

6.  The applicant submitted a statement on his own behalf which stated:  "I want a chapter 10 discharge because I cannot adjust to military life."

7.  On 20 July 1977, the appropriate authority approved the applicant's request for discharge for the good of the service under the provisions of chapter 10 of Army Regulation 635-200.  He directed that the applicant be issued an under other than honorable conditions discharge and that he be reduced to the lowest enlisted grade.  On 3 August 1977, the applicant was discharged with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions.  The applicant had completed a total of 6 months and 16 days of creditable active service with 311 days of lost time due to being AWOL.

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

9.  Army Regulation 635-200 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, submit a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  The request may be submitted at any time after charges have been preferred and must include the individual's admission of guilt.  Although an honorable or general discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate.

10.  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.

11.  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 CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contention that his discharge should be upgraded was carefully considered and found to be without merit.

2.  The applicant's record shows he was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge.  Separations under the provisions of chapter 10 of Army Regulation 635-200 are voluntary separations, in which the applicant must admit guilt of the charges.

3.  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.

4.  Lacking evidence to the contrary, it is concluded that all requirements of law and regulation were met and that the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  Therefore, it is concluded that the characterization of and reason for the applicant's discharge were both proper and equitable.  As a result, his discharge accurately reflects his overall record of service.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__X____  ___X___  ____X____  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.




      _______ _   _X______   ___
               CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080013927



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080013927



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