IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  16 March 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090014158 


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 bad conduct discharge (BCD) be upgraded.

2.  The applicant states that he would like to receive treatment at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital.

3.  The applicant does not provide any additional 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 record shows he enlisted in the Regular Army and entered active duty on 17 July 1981 for his final period of active service. 

3.  General Court-Martial Order Number 50, dated 22 October 1985, shows the applicant was convicted by a general court-martial and found guilty of two violations of Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ):  stealing $500.00 from an envelope addressed to another person and false swearing.  His sentence consisted of confinement for 18 months, a forfeiture of all pay and allowances, reduction to the rank of private (E-1), a fine of $2,000.00, and a BCD.  The sentence was approved on 22 October 1985.

4.  On 19 June 1986, the U.S. Army Court of Military Review approved the findings of guilty and affirmed the sentence.  

5.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he was discharged with a character of service listed as bad conduct on 26 November 1986.  The authority and reason were listed as chapter 3, Section IV, Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations).  The applicant had completed 6 years, 8 months, and 2 days of total active service with the period from 16 September 1985 to
25 November 1986 listed as lost time.

6.  Army Regulation 635-200, in effect at the time, set forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 3 establishes policy and procedures for separating members with a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge; and provides that a Soldier will be given a bad conduct discharge pursuant only to an approved sentence of a general or special court-martial; and, the appellate review must be completed and the affirmed sentence must be ordered duly executed.

7.  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.

8.  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.

9.  Court-martial convictions stand as adjudged or as modified by appeal through the judicial process.  In accordance with Title 10, U. S. Code, section 1552, the authority under which this Board acts, the ABCMR is not empowered to set aside a conviction.  Rather, it is only empowered to change the severity of the sentence imposed in the court-martial process and then only if clemency is determined to be appropriate.  Clemency is an act of mercy, or instance of leniency, to moderate the severity of the punishment imposed.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was convicted by a general court-martial and the findings and sentence were affirmed by the U.S. Army Court of Military Review.  Court-martial convictions stand as adjudged or modified by appeal through the judicial process.  Clemency is an act of mercy, or instance of leniency, to moderate the severity of the punishment imposed by the court-martial.  After a thorough review of the applicant’s record and issues the Board found no basis for granting clemency in this case. 

2.  The fact that the applicant would like to receive treatment at the VA Hospital was considered.  However, there are no provisions in Army regulations that allow the upgrade of a discharge for the sole purpose of securing veteran's benefits.  The applicant must provide evidence to prove the discharge was rendered unjustly, in error, or that there were mitigating circumstances which warrants the upgrade.  Additionally, the passage of time is an insufficient basis to support an upgrade of a discharge.

3.  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)                                         AR20090014158



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090014158



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