IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  5 June 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110024151 


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 to at least a general discharge.

2.  The applicant states:

* He went absent without leave (AWOL) due to conditions at his duty station
* There were drugs everywhere and he was constantly in fear of his life and rather than continue the abuse he decided to leave and never come back
* He was young and easily taken advantage of and fell into the wrong group of Soldiers
* The situation had gotten to the point he could no longer remain and there was no other way to protect himself

3.  The applicant provides:

* Two character reference letters
* Criminal history background check
* DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)

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 was born on 26 October 1959.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 July 1980 for a period of 3 years.  He completed his training and was awarded military occupational specialty 13B (cannon crewman).     

3.  He went AWOL on 5 March 1981 and returned to military control on 15 July 1981.  On 22 July 1981, charges were preferred against the applicant for the AWOL period.

4.  On 22 July 1981, he consulted with counsel and requested discharge for the good of the service 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 he might be discharged under conditions other than honorable and furnished an Under Other Than Honorable Discharge Certificate, he might be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration, he would be deprived of many or all Army benefits, and he might be ineligible for many or all benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws.  He acknowledged 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 1 October 1981, the separation authority approved the applicant's voluntary request for discharge and directed that he be furnished an under other than honorable conditions discharge.

6.  He was discharged under other than honorable conditions for the good of the service on 22 October 1981 under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10.  He completed 11 months and 12 days of creditable active service and 132 days of lost time.

7.  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.

8.  He provided two character reference letters from a State Senator and retired lieutenant colonel.  The State Senator attests the applicant is:

* a hard worker and dedicated to his family
* a good neighbor

9.  The retired lieutenant colonel points out:

* the applicant is a man of integrity and strength
* he is kind and respectful
* he is a good man who made a wrong choice
* his incident occurred during peacetime, he was very young, no one was hurt, and no property was taken
* after turning himself in and being discharged from the military he went on to live a productive life

10.  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.

11.  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.

12.  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.  He contends he was young and easily taken advantage of.  However, age is not a mitigating factor.  He was almost 21 years old when he enlisted and he completed his training.
2.  The character reference letters submitted on behalf of the applicant are laudable; however, they fail to show his discharge was unjust and should be upgraded.

3.  His brief record of service included 132 days of lost time.  As a result, his record of service 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 or a general discharge.

4.  His voluntary request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, 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 and he elected not to do so.

5.  The type of discharge directed and the reasons for separation were appropriate considering all the facts of the case.

6.  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)                                         AR20110024151





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110024151



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