IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  3 January 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110022297 


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 Reentry Eligibility (RE) code be changed from an RE code of 4 to 1 so he can reenter military service.

2.  He states, in effect, he had outstanding records and evaluations; but he was discharged due to "Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT)."  Based on the change in the law he would like his RE code changed so he can reenlist.  

3.  He provides no additional documents.  

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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 April 2000 for a period of 
4 years.  He successfully completed basic combat and advanced individual training and he was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Infantryman).

3.  On 16 October 2002, the applicant's command initiated separation proceedings against him under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations) due to homosexuality admission.  

4.  After consulting with counsel, the applicant acknowledged the proposed separation action and waived his right to counsel, consideration of his case by an administrative board, to appear before an administrative separation board, and to submit a statement in his own behalf.

5.  On 17 October 2002, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 15 by reason of homosexuality admission with service characterized as Honorable.    

6.  On 14 November 2002, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 with a separation program designator (SPD) code of "JRB," an Honorable Discharge Certificate, a character of service of honorable, and with an RE code of 4.  He completed 2 years, 6 months, and 25 days of total active service.  His service record does not indicate he received any disciplinary actions for misconduct during this period.   

7.  Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness) memorandum, dated 20 September 2011, Subject:  Correction of Military Records Following Repeal of Section 654 of Title 10, U.S. Code, provides policy guidance for Service Discharge Review Boards (DRBs) and Service Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NRs) to follow when taking action on applications from former service members discharged under DADT or prior policies.

8.  The memorandum states that, effective 20 September 2011, Service DRBs should normally grant requests, in these cases, to change the:

* narrative reason for discharge should be change to "Secretarial Authority" and the SPD code should be JFF
* characterization of the discharge to honorable
* the RE code to an immediately-eligible-to-reenter category




9.  For the above upgrades to be warranted, the memorandum states both of the following conditions must have been met:

* the original discharge was based solely on DADT or a similar policy in place prior to enactment of DADT
* there were no aggravating factors in the record, such as misconduct

10.  The memorandum further states that although each request must be evaluated on a case-by case basis, the award of an honorable or general discharge should normally be considered to indicate the absence of aggravating
factors.

11.  The memorandum also recognized that although BCM/NRs have a significantly broader scope of review and are authorized to provide much more comprehensive remedies than are available from the DRBs, it is Department of Defense (DoD) policy that broad, retroactive corrections of records from applicants discharged under DADT [or prior policies] are not warranted.  Although DADT is repealed effective 20 September 2011, it was the law and reflected the view of Congress during the period it was the law.  Similarly, DoD regulations implementing various aspects of DADT [or prior policies] were valid regulations during that same or prior periods.  Thus, the issuance of a discharge under DADT [or prior policies] should not by itself be considered to constitute an error or injustice that would invalidate an otherwise properly-taken discharge action.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's discharge proceedings, for homosexuality, were conducted in accordance with law and regulations in effect at the time.  The characterization of his discharge was commensurate with the reason for his discharge and his overall record of military service, as evidenced by his conduct and efficiency ratings, in accordance with the governing regulations in effect at the time.

2.  Nevertheless, the law has since been changed.  Soldiers separated solely for homosexuality should now have their reason for discharge and, when appropriate, characterizations of service changed.

3.  Therefore, the applicant's DD Form 214 should be amended to show his:

* narrative reason for discharge as "Secretarial Authority"
* SPD code as JFF
* RE code to an immediately-eligible-to-reenter category

BOARD VOTE:

____X___  ____X___  ____X__  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by issuing him a new DD Form 214 to show he was discharged with an honorable characterization of service, by reason of Secretarial Authority, with an SPD code of JFF, and an RE code of 1, effective 14 November 2002.  




      _______ _   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)                                         AR20110022297



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110022297



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