Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2010/11/09	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that she requests an upgrade of her discharge to general, under honorable conditions or a fully honorable discharge.  She contends she went AWOL to take her kids back from her husband. 

II.  Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed?	     
Tender Offer:   NA

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Discharge Under Review
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: 	   Date: 090423
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 090508   Chapter: 10       AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial	   RE:     SPD: KFS   Unit/Location: A Co, 864th EN Bn (Hvy), Fort Lewis, WA  

Time Lost: AWOL x 6 for a total of 24 days; (090110-090111) for 1 day, mode of return unknown; (090124-090124) for 1 day, mode of return unknown; (090127-090128) for 2 days, mode of return unknown; (090130-090217) for 18 days,   mode of return unknown; (090308-090309) for 2 days, mode of return unknown; (090407-090407) for 1 day, mode of return unknown. 

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  24
Current ENL Date: 080304    Current ENL Term: 04 Years  21 Weeks/with a moral waiver (071211) and a medical waiver (071015)
Current ENL Service: 	01  Yrs, 01 Mos, 09 Days ?????
Total Service:  		01  Yrs, 01 Mos, 09 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E-2		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 92G10 Food Service Operations   GT: 114   EDU: GED   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Albany, KY 
Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 30 March 2009, the applicant was charged with absenting herself from her unit AWOL x 6 (090308-090310), (090129-090218), (090126-090129), (090123-090125), (090109-090112), (090107-090108); without authority, failing to go at the time prescribed to her appointed place of duty x 13 (090226), (090225), (090223), (090220), (090219), (090125), (090115), (090113), (090106), (090106), (090105), (081222), (081203); without authority, leaving her appointed place of duty x 3 (090129), (090125), (081121); disrespectful in language toward a noncommissioned officer (SSG) (090109); and stealing pay and allowances, military property, of a value in excess of $500, the property of the United States Government between (080901-081115).  On 9 April 2009, the applicant consulted with legal counsel and voluntarily requested, in writing, discharge under the provisions of Chapter 10, AR 635-200 in lieu of trial by court-martial.  In this request, the applicant admitted guilt to the offense, or a lesser-included offense.  
       
       Further, the applicant indicated that she understood that she could receive an under other than honorable conditions discharge and that the discharge would have a significant effect on eligibility for veteran’s benefits.  The applicant submitted a statement in her own behalf.  The unit commander recommended approval of the Chapter 10 request with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  The intermediate and senior intermediate commanders recommended approval of the Chapter 10 request with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.
       
       On 1 May 2009, the separation authority approved the Chapter 10 request with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  The applicant was to be reduced to the lowest enlisted rank.
       
       The analyst noted that on the applicant's DD Form 214 block 27, reentry eligibility (RE) code reads "3." According to AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD)/Reentry (RE) Codes Cross-Reference Table, requires a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "4."    

       b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
       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 a 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.  Army policy states that although an honorable or general discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate.

       c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
       After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  
       
       The evidence of record indicates that the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) with a punitive discharge.  The applicant consulted with defense counsel, and voluntarily in writing, requested separation from the Army in lieu of trial by court-martial.  In doing so, the applicant admitted guilt to the stipulated or lesser-included offenses under the UCMJ.  
       
       The analyst noted that all the requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  It is also noted that the characterization of service for this type of discharge is normally under other than honorable conditions and that the applicant was aware of that prior to requesting discharge.  By the misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of her service below that meriting a general, under honorable conditions or a fully honorable discharge.
       
       The applicant contends that she went AWOL to take her kids back from her husband.  The applicant had many legitimate avenues (i.e., Chaplain, Army Community and Family Support Services, Community Counseling Center, and other resources available to all Soldiers) through which to obtain assistance or relief, without committing the misconduct, which led to the separation action under review.   
       
       Additionally, the analyst found that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, reentry code as "3."  The analyst recommends that block 27, reentry eligibility (RE) code be administratively corrected to "4."  Except for the foregoing modification to the applicant's reentry eligibility (RE) code, the analyst found that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. 
       
       
       
        

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 28 September 2011         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293, dated (101011); Self-Authored Statement; and a DD Form 214, dated (090508).

VIII.  Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation
After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst's recommendation and rationale, the Board found that someone in the separation process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214 block 27, reentry eligibility (RE) code as "3."  In view of the error the Board voted to administratively correct block 27, reentry eligibility (RE) code to "4."  Except for the forgoing modification to the applicant's reentry eligibility (RE) code, the Board determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. 
        
IX.  Board Decision						
	XI.  Certification Signature
Board Vote:  							          Approval Authority:	
Character - Change 0    No change 5
Reason -     Change 0    No change 5
(Board member names available upon request)
								         EDGAR J. YANGER			 
								         Colonel, U.S. Army
X.  Board Action Directed					         President, Army Discharge Review Board
Issue a new DD Form 214  					
Change Characterization to: 			         
Change Reason to: No Change
Other: Correct block 27, reentry eligibility (RE) code to "4." 							
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: None
















Legend:
AWOL    	Absent Without Leave		GCM   General Court Martial	NA   Not applicable			SCM	Summary Court Martial
BCD   	Bad Conduct Discharge	GD      General Discharge	NIF   Not in the file			SPCM	Special Court Martial
CG 	Company Grade Article 15	HD      Honorable Discharge	OAD   Ordered to Active Duty		UNC	Uncharacterized Discharge  
DD 	Dishonorable Discharge	HS       High School Graduate	OMPF   Official Military Personnel File	UOTH  	Under Other Than Honorable 
FG	Field Grade Article 15		IADT   Initial Active Duty Training	RE     Reentry Code				Conditions 

ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20100027522
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