IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  15 October 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20130003808 


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 undesirable discharge to honorable.

2.  The applicant states:

* he apologizes for his behavior/actions on that day
* when a staff sergeant put his hand on him to show him how to salute properly he reacted in the wrong fashion
* he was very young and did not like anyone putting their hands on him 

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 

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 3 February 1951.  He enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 21 May 1971 for a period of 3 years.  He completed his training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11E (armor crewman).  

3.  Between 4 June 1971 and 4 April 1972, nonjudicial punishment (NJP) was imposed against him on three occasions for:

* using disrespectful language (two specifications)
* violating a lawful general regulation  

4.  On 14 April 1972, charges were preferred against the applicant for:

* assault
* using disrespectful language 
* communicating a threat to injure

5.  Trial by special court-martial was recommended.

6.  On 9 June 1972, after consulting with counsel, the applicant submitted a request for discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), chapter 10, for the good of the service – in lieu of trial by court-martial.  In his request, he indicated he understood he could be discharged under conditions other than honorable and be furnished an Undesirable Discharge Certificate, he might be deprived of many or all Army benefits, he might be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration, and he might be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws.  He also acknowledged he understood he might encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life because of an undesirable discharge.  He elected not to submit a statement in his own behalf.  

7.  On 12 June 1972, the separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge and directed the issuance of an Undesirable Discharge Certificate.

8.  On 21 June 1972, he was discharged accordingly.  The DD Form 214 he was issued at the time shows he was discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, for the good of the service – in lieu of trial by court-martial with an Undesirable Discharge Certificate.  He completed 1 year,
1 month, and 1 day of total active service.

9.  In July 1973, the Army Discharge Review Board denied his request for a general discharge.   

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

	a.  Chapter 10 of the version in effect at the time provided that a member who committed an offense or offenses for which the authorized punishment included a punitive discharge could submit a request for discharge for the good of the service at any time after court-martial charges were preferred.  Commanders would ensure that an individual was not coerced into submitting a request for discharge for the good of the service.  Consulting counsel would advise the member concerning the elements of the offense or offenses charged, type of discharge normally given under the provisions of this chapter, the loss of Veterans Administration benefits, and the possibility of prejudice in civilian life because of the characterization of such a discharge.  An undesirable discharge certificate would normally be furnished an individual who was discharged for the good of the Service.

	b.  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.

	c.  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 applicant contends he was young; however, age is not a sufficiently mitigating factor.  He was 20 years old when he enlisted in the RA and he successfully completed training.  There is no evidence that indicates he was any less mature than other Soldiers of the same age who successfully completed their military terms of service.

2.  His voluntary request for separation 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 wherein he could have voiced his concerns; however, he elected not to do so.


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

4.  His record of service included three NJPs and serious offenses for which special court-martial charges were preferred against him.  As a result, his record of service was not satisfactory and did not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel.

5.  In view of the foregoing, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant an honorable or a general discharge.

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)                                         AR20130003808





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20130003808



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