IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 21 February 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110017137
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 under other than honorable conditions discharge be upgraded to an honorable discharge.
2. The applicant states, in effect, he was wrongly accused and it has bothered him ever since. He states he is unable to receive any benefits and further states his father is a Korean War veteran who never received help.
3. The applicant provides no additional 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 applicants 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 applicants failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 11 October 1979. His records show he completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 62B (Construction Equipment Repairer). The highest rank/grade he attained while serving on active duty was private/E-1.
3. On 19 May 1980, charges were preferred against the applicant for being absent without leave (AWOL) for the period 1 April through 13 May 1980.
4. On 20 May 1980, 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 Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the possible effects of a discharge under other than honorable conditions, 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.
5. In his request for discharge, the applicant indicated he understood that by requesting a 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 or dishonorable discharge. He further acknowledged he understood that if his discharge request were approved, he could be deprived of many or all Army benefits, he could be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration (VA), and he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws. He elected to submit a statement with his request.
6. On 19 June 1980, the separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge. On 24 July 1980, the applicant was discharged accordingly with a discharge under other than honorable conditions. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he completed 8 months and 2 days of net active service this period with 42 days time lost.
7. There is no indication the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for an upgrade of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations.
8. 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, 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicants request for upgrade of his under other than honorable conditions discharge to an honorable discharge has been carefully considered; however, there is insufficient evidence to support his request.
2. His record shows he was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge and he voluntarily requested discharge under the provisions of chapter 10 of Army Regulation 635-200 to avoid a trial by court-martial which may have resulted in a felony conviction.
3. The evidence shows the applicant was properly and equitably discharged in accordance with the regulations in effect at the time. There is no evidence of procedural errors which would have jeopardized his rights. 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.
4. The applicant's record of service shows he was AWOL, charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge, and accumulated 42 days of time lost. Based on his record of indiscipline, the applicant's service did not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel. This misconduct rendered his service unsatisfactory. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to an honorable or a general discharge.
5. The ABCMR does not grant requests for upgrade of discharges solely for the purpose of making the applicant eligible for veterans or medical benefits. Every case is individually decided based upon its merits when an applicant requests a change in his or her discharge. Additionally, the granting of veteran's benefits is not within the purview of the ABCMR. Therefore, any questions regarding eligibility for health care and other benefits should be addressed to the VA.
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) AR20110017137
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110017137
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