IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  18 July 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120022367 


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 upgrade of his discharge under other than honorable conditions.

2.  The applicant states:

* his discharge was unfair because it was based solely on one incident that involved being absent without leave (AWOL)
* he served his country from 1977 to 1982
* he had an exemplary military record before the infraction   

3.  The applicant provides:

* DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)
* Character reference letters

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 27 April 1977 for a period of 
3 years.  He completed his training and was awarded military occupational specialty 13B (cannon crewman).  On 28 October 1979, he was honorably discharged for immediate reenlistment.  He reenlisted on 29 October 1979 for a period of 3 years.        

3.  He went AWOL from 21 August 1980 to 6 November 1981.  On 16 November 1981, charges were preferred against him for the AWOL period.  

4.  On 18 November 1981, he consulted with counsel and requested discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), chapter 10.  He acknowledged that by submitting his request for discharge, 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 other than honorable conditions, he might be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration, he might 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 a discharge under other than honorable conditions.  He elected not to make a statement in his own behalf.

5.  On 11 December 1981, the separation authority approved the applicant's voluntary request for discharge and directed the issuance of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.

6.  On 1 February 1982, he was discharged under other than honorable conditions for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10.  He completed a total of 
3 years, 6 months, and 19 days of creditable active service with 443 days of lost time.

7.  There is no evidence that shows the applicant applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for upgrade of his discharge within its 15-year statute of limitations.



8.  He provides four character reference letters from a reverend, co-worker, brother-in-law, and brother who attest he:

* is genuine, caring, dependable and loyal
* has earned the right to have a second chance to correct his decision/actions he made earlier in his life
* is a great man of God
* is professional, pleasant, honest, and intelligent
* has a good moral character
* serves as a deacon in his church
* is an outstanding family man and member of society 

9.  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.

	a.  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.

	b.  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 character reference letters submitted on behalf of the applicant failed to show his discharge was unjust and should be upgraded.

2.  The applicant's contentions were carefully considered.  However, his record of service during his last enlistment included 443 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.

3.  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.

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

5.  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)                                         AR20120022367





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120022367



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