IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  11 June 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090004090 


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 discharge under other than honorable conditions be upgraded to honorable or general.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that during his time in the military service he was young and immature.  He made a mistake which he now regrets.  He feels that he has paid for his mistakes and requests an upgrade of his discharge.

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 28 October 1980, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years at 18 years of age.  He completed his initial training to include the Basic Airborne Course and was awarded military occupational specialty 43E (Parachute Rigger).  He was subsequently assigned for duty as a rigger at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

3.  On 28 October 1981, the applicant was advanced to the rank of private first class, pay grade E-3.

4.  On 16 April 1982, the applicant departed Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for assignment in Italy.

5.  On 18 May 1982, the applicant was assigned for duty as a rigger with the 1st Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, in Italy.

6.  On 12 October 1982, charges were preferred under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for violation of Article 134 for indecent assault.

7.  On 9 November 1982, 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 Veterans Administration, and that he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State law.

9.  On 12 November 1982, the separation authority approved the applicant’s request for discharge and directed that he be issued a DD Form 794A (Other Than Honorable Conditions Discharge Certificate).  On 1 December 1982, the applicant was discharged accordingly.  He had completed a total of 2 years, 1 month, and 4 days of creditable active military service.

10.  On 27 October 1997, the Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) considered the applicant's request for an upgrade of his discharge.  The ADRB determined that he had been properly and equitably discharged.  Accordingly, the ADRB denied his request.

11.  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.

12.  Under the UCMJ, the maximum punishment allowed for violation of Article 134 for indecent assault is a punitive discharge and 5 years confinement.

13.  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.

14.  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 young and immature, that he made mistakes which he now regrets, and that he feels he has paid for his mistakes and should receive an upgrade of his discharge.

2.  The applicant's contention that he was young and immature at the time is not sufficiently mitigating to warrant relief.  The Board notes that the applicant was 18 years of age, had satisfactorily completed training, and was advanced to the rank of private first class.  He had served for approximately 2 years before any negative incidents were documented.  His satisfactory performance demonstrated his capacity to serve and showed that he was neither too young nor immature.

3.  The applicant's administrative separation was accomplished in compliance with applicable regulations with no indication of procedural errors which would tend to jeopardize his rights.  The type of discharge directed and the reasons therefore were appropriate considering all the facts of the case.

4.  Based on this record of indiscipline, the applicant's service clearly does not meet the standards of acceptable conduct for Army personnel.  This misconduct rendered his service unsatisfactory.  Therefore, he is not entitled to an upgrade of his discharge.

5.  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.

6.  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

___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)                                         AR20090004090



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090004090



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