IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	       19 May 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080020072 


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 to honorable.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was told his discharge would be upgraded once he paid his debt.  He contends that he has paid his debt and wants his discharge upgraded.

3.  The applicant provides no additional documentation 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.  On 4 January 1982, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 4 years.  He completed his initial training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Infantryman).

3.  On 26 April 1982, the applicant was assigned for duty with 1st Battalion,
48th Infantry Regiment, in the Federal Republic of Germany.

4.  On 15 April 1983, the applicant returned to the United States without having completed his overseas tour of duty.

5.  On 21 April 1986, charges were preferred against the applicant under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for violation of Article 85, for desertion during the period from on or about 21 May 1983 to on or about 12 March 1986, when he was apprehended; and for violation of Article 121, for stealing $38,948.26 in military pay from May 1983 to December 1985. 

6.  On 6 May 1986, 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. 

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 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 Veterans Administration (VA) [now known as the Department of Veterans Affairs] and that he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State law.   

8.  On 19 May 1986, 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 30 June 1986, the applicant was discharged accordingly.  He had completed 1 year, 8 months, and 6 days of creditable active duty service and had accrued 2 years, 9 months, and 21 days of time lost due to being absent without leave.

9.  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.

10.  Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), in effect at the time, set 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.

11.  Under the UCMJ, the maximum punishment allowed for violation of Article 85, for desertion terminated by apprehension is a dishonorable discharge and confinement for 3 years.  The maximum punishment allowed for larceny of military property of a value of more than $500.00 is a dishonorable discharge and confinement for 1 year.

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.

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 CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that he was told his discharge would be upgraded after he paid his government debt.

2.  The evidence of record confirms the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge. After consulting with defense counsel, he voluntarily requested discharge from the Army in lieu of court-martial.  All requirements of law and regulation were 
met.  The rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  Therefore, the type of discharge and reason were appropriate considering all of the facts of the case.

3.  There is no policy, regulation, directive or law that provides for the automatic upgrade of a less than honorable discharge from military service.

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 requested relief.

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)                                         AR20080020072



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080020072



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