BOARD DATE:	  February 18, 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090015760 


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 an upgrade of his under other than honorable discharge to a general discharge. 

2.  The applicant states that he followed his chain of command's instructions to have his family travel orders cut and followed up at the legal office without yielding any results after 6 months of being assigned in the United States. 

3.  The applicant did not provide any additional documentary evidence in support of his request.  

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.  With prior service, the applicant's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 26 February 1986.  He held military occupational specialty 12B (Combat Engineer) and the highest rank/grade the applicant attained during his military service was specialist/E-4.

3.  The applicant's records further show he served in Germany from on or about 12 March 1986 to 3 March 1988.  His records also show he was awarded the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Grenade Bar.

4.  On 30 August 1988, the applicant departed his unit at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, in an absent without leave (AWOL) status.  He surrendered to military authorities on 15 September 1988.

5.  On 21 October 1988, the applicant again departed his unit in an AWOL status and was subsequently dropped from the Army rolls on 20 November 1988.  He returned to military control on 6 February 1990. 

6.  On 8 February 1990, court-martial charges were preferred against the applicant for one specification of being AWOL during the period on or about 21 October 1988 through 6 February 1990. 

7.  On 9 February 1990, the applicant consulted with legal counsel and was advised of the basis for the contemplated trial by court-martial for an offense punishable by a bad conduct discharge or a discharge under other than honorable conditions, the maximum permissible punishment authorized under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the possible effects of a request for discharge, and of the procedures and rights that were available to him.  Following consultation with legal counsel, he requested discharge under the provisions of chapter 10, Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations) 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 charges against him, or of a lesser included offense, that also authorized the imposition of a bad conduct discharge or a discharge under other honorable conditions.  He further acknowledged he understood that if the 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 Department of Veterans Affairs, and that he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State law. 
9.  On 15 February 1990, the applicant’s immediate recommended approval of the applicant's request with the issuance of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  

10.  On 7 March 1990, the separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge for the good of the service in accordance with chapter 10 of Army Regulation 635-200 and directed that he be reduced to the lowest enlisted grade and issued an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  Accordingly, the applicant was discharged on 22 March 1990.  The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) he was issued shows he was discharged for the good of the service in lieu of a court-martial with under other than honorable conditions discharge.  This form further confirms he completed
2 years, 8 months, and 17 days of creditable active military service and he had 490 days of lost time.

11.  There is no indication that the applicant petitioned the Army Discharge Review Board for an upgrade of his discharge within that board's 15-year statute of limitations. 

12.  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.

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 his discharge should be upgraded.

2.  The applicant’s record shows he was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge.  Discharges under the provisions of chapter 10 of Army Regulation 635-200 are voluntary requests for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial.  The applicant voluntarily, willingly, and in writing, requested discharge from the Army in lieu of trial by court-martial.  All requirements of law and regulation were met, and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  Further, the applicant’s discharge accurately reflects his overall record of service.

3.  There is no evidence in the applicant's records and the applicant did not submit sufficient evidence that shows he addressed the issue of family travel with his chain of command and/or support channels or that he was denied such request.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  He did not submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.  

4.  Based on his record of indiscipline, the applicant's service clearly does not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel.  His misconduct also renders his service unsatisfactory.  Therefore, he is not entitled to a general or an honorable discharge. 

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)                                         AR20090015760



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090015760



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