IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  23 October 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140003709 


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 an upgrade of his under other than honorable conditions discharge. 

2.  The applicant states, in effect:

* he was a good Soldier; he received multiple awards and decorations and enjoyed what he was doing for our country
* after he reenlisted, he began feeling peer pressure, home-sick, and depression
* one day during a barracks inspection, the military police (MP) found a small piece of hash; he was scared and led to believe he would be going to jail
* he was put out of the military for something he did not do
* since his discharge, he has led a good, lawful life; he has raised a family and he has been employed for 15 years
* he started out as a floor technical but he has since moved up to a lead technical supervisor

3.  The applicant provides:

* DD Forms 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), ending on 9 July 1980 and 28 February 1983
* Four letters of support/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's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 18 July 1977 and he held military occupational specialty 76W (Petroleum Supply Specialist).  He served in Germany from 4 January 1978 to 8 July 1980.  He attained the rank/grade of specialist four/E-4. 

3.  He was honorably released from active duty on 9 July 1980.  His DD Form 214 for this period of service shows he completed 2 years, 11 months, and 
22 days of active service. 

4.  He again enlisted in the RA on 22 June 1981 and he again served in Germany, from 8 July 1981 to 3 July 1983.  He was awarded or authorized the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon. 

5.  On 8 October 1982, an investigation by agents of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command disclosed that the applicant wrongfully possessed and distributed 21.90 grams of hashish to a covert MP. 

6.  On 6 December 1983, court-martial charges were preferred against the applicant for one specification of wrongfully possessing hashish and one specification of wrongfully distributing hashish. 

7.  On 6 December 1983, he consulted with legal counsel and he was advised of the basis for the contemplated trial by court-martial for an offense punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) which authorized the imposition of a bad conduct or a dishonorable discharge, the possible effects of a discharge under other than honorable conditions if his request for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial was approved, and of the procedures and rights available to him.  Following consultation with legal counsel, he requested 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.

8.  In his request for discharge, he indicated:

* he was making this request of his own free will and he had not been subjected to any coercion whatsoever by any person
* he understood that by requesting discharge he was admitting guilt to the charges against him or of a lesser-included offense that also authorized the imposition of a bad conduct discharge or a discharge under other honorable conditions
* he acknowledged he understood if his discharge request was approved he could be deprived of many or all Army benefits, he could be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration
* he acknowledged he understood he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws
* he stated that under no circumstances did he desire further rehabilitation and he had no desire to perform further military service

9.  On 28 January and 1 February 1983, his immediate, intermediate, and senior commanders recommended approval of his request for discharge with the issuance of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.

10.  On 14 February 1983, the separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, and directed the issuance of an under other than honorable conditions discharge and reduction to the lowest enlisted grade.  On 28 February 1983, the applicant was discharged accordingly.

11.  The DD Form 214 the applicant was issued shows he was discharged for the good of the service - in lieu of trial by court-martial with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions.  This form shows he completed 1 year, 8 months, and 7 days of creditable active service during this period.

12.  There is no indication in his records he petitioned the Army Discharge Review Board for a review of his discharge action within that board's 15-year statute of limitations. 

13.  He provides four character reference letters/letters of support from various individuals who opine that his discharge should be upgraded.  The authors agree that the applicant has led an exemplary life by maintaining employment, paying taxes, and staying out of trouble. 

14.  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 or general discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate.

	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's record shows he was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge.  Discharges under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, are voluntary requests for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial.  He voluntarily, willingly, and in writing, requested discharge from the Army in lieu of trial by court-martial.  All requirements of law and regulation were met and his rights were fully protected throughout the separation process.  Further, his discharge accurately reflects his overall record of service.

2.  The applicant's post-service standing and/or professional employment are noted; however, this is not sufficiently mitigating for granting the requested relief. 

3.  Based on his record of indiscipline, the applicant's service clearly did not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel.  This misconduct rendered his service unsatisfactory.  In view of the foregoing, there is no 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)                                         AR20140003709



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140003709



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