IN THE CASE OF:	

		BOARD DATE:	       18 FEBRUARY 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080018420 


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 that his undesirable discharge be upgraded to a general discharge.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was unable to accept orders, that he had an alcohol problem, and that he had repeated periods of being absent without leave (AWOL).  He states that he does not know why he was unable to accept authority while in the Army and that he received counseling for this reason and for excessive drinking and excessive AWOL.     

3.  The applicant provides no 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 18 August 1969 for a period of 4 years.  He successfully completed basic combat training.     

3.  While in advanced individual training, on five separate occasions, nonjudicial punishment was imposed against the applicant for being AWOL from his appointed place of duty and unit. 

4.  The applicant went AWOL on 10 June 1971 and returned to military control on 17 August 1971.  On 9 September 1971, charges were preferred against the applicant for the AWOL period.  Trial by special court-martial was recommended.

5.  On 10 September 1971, after consulting with counsel, the applicant submitted a request for discharge for the good of the service under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10.  He indicated in his request that he understood that he could be discharged under other than honorable conditions and furnished an Undesirable Discharge Certificate, that he might be deprived of many or all Army benefits, that he might be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration (now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs) and that he might be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State law.  He also acknowledged that he might encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life because of an undesirable discharge.  He elected not to submit a statement in his own behalf.  

6.  On 1 October 1971, the separation authority approved the applicant’s request for discharge and directed that he be furnished an undesirable discharge. 

7.  Accordingly, the applicant was discharged with an undesirable discharge on 
8 October 1971 under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 
10, for the good of the service.  He had served 1 year, 11 months, and 3 days of creditable active service with 80 days of lost time due to AWOL.  

8.  There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant was diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependency.

9.  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.

10.  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 at any time after the charges have been preferred, submit a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  At the time, an undesirable discharge was normally considered appropriate. 

11.  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.  

12.  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.  Although the applicant contends that he had an alcohol problem while in the Army, there is no evidence of record which shows that he was diagnosed with alcohol abuse or dependency prior to his discharge or that he referred himself for treatment of alcohol problems.  

2.  The applicant’s record of service included five nonjudicial punishments and 80 days of lost time.  As a result, his record of service was not satisfactory and did not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel.  Therefore, the applicant's record of service is insufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge or a general discharge.

3.  The applicant’s voluntary request for separation under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, in lieu of trial by court-martial, was administratively correct and in conformance with applicable regulations.  He had an opportunity to submit a statement in which he could have voiced his concerns and he failed to do so.

4.  The type of discharge directed and the reasons for separation were appropriate considering all the facts of the case.





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.




      _______ _   _XXX______   ___
               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)                                         AR20080018420





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080018420



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