IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	    24 January 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120009537 


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 (UOTHC) discharge be upgraded to an honorable discharge (HD).

2.  The applicant states:

	a.  he departed absent without leave (AWOL) at the age of 18 to attend his father's funeral;

   b.  both of his parents died at a young age;
   
   c.  without any direction in his life he became a total alcoholic at the age of 15 ; and
   
   d.  he believes he deserves an HD.
   
3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation 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's military record shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on        2 March 1977.  He completed basic combat training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana.

3.  Upon completion of AIT, he was awarded military occupation specialty (MOS) 75B (Unit Clerk) and reassigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia.  His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows the applicant did not report to Fort Stewart, Georgia as ordered and was reported AWOL on 24 July 1977.

4.  On 12 August 1977, he accepted non-judicial punishment under the provisions of Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for being AWOL from on or about 24 July – 9 August 1977 (16 days).

5.  On 23 March 1978, a DD Form 458 (Charge Sheet) was prepared preferring a court-martial charge against the applicant for violating Article 86 of the UCMJ by being AWOL from 3 October 1977 to 13 March 1978 (161 days).

6.  On 27 March 1978, 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 UCMJ, the possible effects of a UOTHC discharge, and of the procedures and rights that were available to him.  Subsequent to receiving this legal counsel, he voluntarily requested discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial under the provisions of chapter 10, Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations - Enlisted Personnel).

7.  In his request for discharge the applicant acknowledged he understood 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 also indicated he understood he could face substantial prejudice in civilian life if he were issued a UOTHC discharge.

8.  In his statement, he indicates:

   a.  his mother died while he was 18 months old and he spent most of his life in foster homes;
   b.  he subsequently joined the Army which made him feel like he was locked up again;
   
c.  both his father and stepmother had died in March; and

   d.  he would deeply be indebted to the separation approval authority if he was allowed to be discharged from the Army.

9.  On 26 April 1978, the separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge and directed he be discharged in the lowest enlisted grade under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, with a UOTHC discharge.

10.  On 19 June 1978, the applicant was discharged accordingly.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 9 months and 23 days of active military service for the period covered with 177 days listed as lost time.

11.  There is no indication that the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) for an upgrade of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations.

12.  Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.

	a.  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 discharge (HD) or general discharge (GD) is authorized, a UOTHC discharge is normally considered appropriate.

	b.  Paragraph 3-7a provides that an HD 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.

	c.  Paragraph 3-7b of provides that a GD 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 HD.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge for being AWOL from 3 October through 12 March 1978.  After consulting with legal counsel, the applicant voluntarily requested discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial.

2.  The applicant’s administrative separation was accomplished in compliance with applicable regulations with no indication of procedural errors which would have jeopardized his rights.  The type of discharge directed and the reasons therefore were appropriate considering all the facts of the case.  His service clearly did not support a GD or an HD at the time of his discharge and it does not support an upgrade now.

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)                                         AR20120009537





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120009537



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