BOARD DATE:	  2 June 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100028069 


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 his discharge under other than honorable conditions be upgraded.

2.  The applicant states:

* His wife closed their account and he didn't know about it
* His checks were coming back to him as insufficient
* He told his first sergeant and the next thing he knew he was being court-martialed
* An investigation was conducted and his wife gave a statement indicating he knew nothing about the closed account
* He was told it was his fault because he is responsible for his family
* His family was 3000 miles from him
* He felt like it was a witch hunt
* He had two prior honorable discharges
* He was told his discharge was good but it is not   

3.  The applicant provides no documentary evidence.

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.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 July 1977 for a period of 3 years.  On 14 October 1980, he was honorably discharged for immediate reenlistment.  He reenlisted on 15 October 1980 for a period of 3 years.  On 26 September 1983, he was honorably discharged for immediate reenlistment.  He reenlisted on 
27 September 1983 for a period of 3 years.

3.  On 17 October 1984, charges were preferred against the applicant for three specifications of uttering 47 bad checks without sufficient funds and one specification of failing to pay just debt.

4.  On 15 March 1985, he consulted with counsel and requested discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations - Enlisted Personnel), chapter 10.  He indicated that by submitting his request for discharge he acknowledged he was guilty of a charge against him that authorized the imposition of a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge.  He indicated in his request he understood that he might be discharged under conditions other than honorable and furnished an under other than honorable conditions discharge, that he might be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration, that he would be deprived of many or all Army benefits, and that he might be ineligible for many or all benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws.  He acknowledged that he might expect to encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life because of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  He elected not to make a statement in his own behalf.

5.  On 29 March 1985, nonjudicial punishment (NJP) was imposed against him for two specifications of forgery.

6.  On 4 April 1985, the separation authority approved the applicant's voluntary request for discharge and directed that he be furnished an under other than honorable conditions discharge.



7.  He was discharged under other than honorable conditions on 10 May 1985 under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  He completed a total of 7 years, 9 months, and 17 days of creditable active service with 2 days of lost time.

8.  There is no evidence the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for upgrade of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations.

9.  Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 10 provides 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.

10.  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 or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate.

11.  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.  His prior honorable discharges were carefully considered.  However, his record of service during his last enlistment included one NJP for forgery and serious offenses for which court-martial charges were preferred.  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.


2.  His voluntary request for separation under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, for the good of the service 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; however, he elected not to do so.

3.  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.



      _______ _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)                                         AR20100028069





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100028069



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