PART II - APPLICATION DATA

      (Note: Part I deleted under the Privacy Act on Reading Room copy)

1.  Character of Discharge:  Honorable

2.  Date of discharge (or REFRAD):  030917

3.  Authority for separation:

      a.  Regulation:  Chapter 15, Paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200

      b.  Reason:  Homosexual Admission

4.  Prior review(s):  NONE



                         PART III - SERVICE HISTORY

                 SECTION A - Period of Service Under Review

1.    Service data:                              2.  Awards and
    decorations:
                                           AAM
    a.  Period entered for:  3 Years (Ext 6 Mos)   NDSM
    b.  Entry date:  000606                        ASR
    c.  Age:  17 Years   DOB:  821025
    d.  Educational level:  GED
    e.  Aptitude area score:
          GT:  112                               3.  Highest grade
achieved:
    f.  Length of Service:                         E4
          3 Years  3 Months  12 Days

                                               4.  Performance evaluations:

                                                   NONE

                         PART III - SERVICE HISTORY
           SECTION A - Period of Service Under Review - Continued

5.  Periods of unauthorized absence:  NONE

    Status       Inclusive dates
      AWOL

      Mil conf

      Civil conf

      Other


6.  Nonjudicial punishment:

      Date  Offense(s)
      010830     Violated a lawful general order by wrongfully consuming
             alcohol while under the legal drinking age (date unknown);
             Without authority, failed to go at the time prescribed to his
             appointed place of duty – report for corrective training 30
             minutes prior to the 0800 formation (010828)(Summarized
             Company Grade)


7.  Court-Martial data:  NONE

      a.  SCM:
            Date   Offense(s)


      b.  SPCM:
            Date   Offense(s)


      c.  GCM:
            Date   Offense(s)


8.    Remarks:  NONE


                       SECTION B - Prior Service Data
                                    NONE

Other discharge(s):

      Service    From  To    Type Discharge





                         PART IV - PREHEARING REVIEW

                       SECTION A-ANALYST’S ASSESSMENT
l.  Facts and Circumstances:

      a.  Evidence of record shows that on 30 June 2003, during a CID
investigation, the applicant, in a signed sworn statement, acknowledged
that he had engaged in sexual activity with another soldier of the same sex
in the barracks.  On 4 September 2003, the unit commander notified the
applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of
Chapter l5, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual conduct with a
characterization of service of honorable.  He was advised of his rights.
On 4 September 2003, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was
advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a
statement in his own behalf.  The unit and interim commanders subsequently
recommended separation with an honorable discharge.  On 8 September 2003,
the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts, approved
the separation action, and directed that the applicant be discharged by
reason of homosexual conduct (i.e., Chapter 15, Paragraph 15-3a, AR 635-
200) and issued a characterization of service of honorable.

      b.  On 17 September 2003, the applicant was discharged.  At the time
of discharge, the applicant had completed 3 years, 3 months, and 12 days of
active military service in the period under review.

      c.  Notwithstanding the fact that the applicant’s separation action
was approved by reason of homosexual conduct, an authority involved in the
discharge process erroneously changed the narrative reason for separation
to homosexual admission under the provisions of Paragraph 15-3b, with a
corresponding separation code of “JRB.”

2.  Legal/Regulatory Basis for Separation Action:  Army Regulation 635-200
sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.
Chapter 15 of that regulation states that active homosexuality is
incompatible with military service and provides, in pertinent part, for the
separation of members who actively engage in homosexual conduct or who, by
their statements, demonstrate a tendency to engage in homosexual conduct.
Army regulation states that when the sole basis for separation is
homosexuality, a discharge under other than honorable conditions may be
issued only if such characterization is warranted in accordance with
chapter 3, section III, and if there is a finding that during the current
term of service the soldier attempted, solicited, or committed a homosexual
act by using force, coercion or intimidation; with a person under 16 years
of age; with a subordinate in circumstances that violate customary military
superior subordinate relationships; openly in public view; for
compensation; aboard a military vessel or aircraft; or in another location
subject to military control if the conduct had, or was likely to have had,
an adverse impact on discipline, good order, or morale due to the close
proximity of other soldiers of the Armed Forces.  In all other cases, the
type of discharge will reflect the character of the soldier’s overall
record of service.


                      SECTION B-APPLICANT’S SUBMISSIONS


1.  Issue(s) of propriety and/or equity submitted by applicant or counsel.
    As stated on applicant’s DD Form 293.
2.  Exhibit(s) submitted:

      A-1:  DD Form 293, undated , with no enclosures.
      A-2:  Counsel Issues:  NONE
      B-l:  Other Documents: NONE


                   PART IV - PREHEARING REVIEW (CONTINUED)

              SECTION C - Medical and/or Legal Advisory Opinion


Referred to ( ) Medical Advisor      ( ) Legal Advisor



      a.  Medical prehearing comments (if applicable):


      b.  Legal prehearing comments (if applicable):











                         PART V - SUMMARY OF HEARING

                      SECTION A-Attendees and exhibits

1.  Review/hearing information:


      a. Type requested:
         ( X ) Records review             (   ) Hearing

      b. Type Held:
         ( X )Records review              (   ) Hearing
                                          (   ) Tender Offer

      c. Review/hearing location and date:  Washington, DC on 16 February
2005.

      d. Appearance by:
         Applicant                 (   ) Yes   ( X ) No
         Counsel                   (   ) Yes   ( X ) No

      e.  Applicant testified:     (   ) Yes   ( X ) No

      f.  Counsel presentation:    (   ) Yes   ( X ) No

      g.  Witness(es) testified:   (   ) Yes   ( X ) No

2.  Exhibit(s) submitted at hearing:
                        PART VI - ISSUES AND FINDINGS

1.  a.  Applicant's issue(s) of propriety and/or equity:

          ( X )  Same as those listed on DD Form 293 and Part IV, Section A
              of this case report and directive.
          (   )  Revised issue(s) furnished in writing by applicant as
              follows:
          (   )  Additional issue(s) identified during review/hearing as
              follows:

      b.  Request:  (   ) Recharacterization     ( X ) Change of Reason

2.  Finding(s), conclusion(s), and reason(s) for the Board's decision(s) on
issues of propriety and/or equity:

      a.  Propriety:   The applicant has not submitted an issue of
                   propriety and the ADRB has not otherwise relied upon an
                   issue of propriety to change the discharge.

      b.  Equity:      The parenthetical number(s) below correspond(s) to
                   the issue number(s) on the DD Form 293, or in Part VI,
                   Paragraph 1, above.

        (1)  The issue is rejected.  The Board carefully examined the
applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review.
 There was a full consideration of all faithful and honorable service as
well as the infractions of discipline, the extent thereof, and the
seriousness of the offenses.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention;
however, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining
employment or enhancing employment opportunities.  The evidence of record
shows that the applicant engaged in homosexual acts with another soldier
and that his unit commander properly initiated action to separate the
applicant under the provisions of Chapter 15, AR 635-200, by reason of
homosexual conduct.  The applicant, as a soldier, had the duty to support
and abide by the Army’s policies on homosexuality and or homosexual
activity.  By engaging in a homosexual act, the applicant knowingly risked
a military career and compelled his chain of command to process him for
separation.  The Board was satisfied that all requirements of law and
regulations were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected
throughout the separation process.  Notwithstanding the fact that the
applicant’s separation action was approved by reason of homosexual conduct,
an authority involved in the discharge process erroneously changed the
narrative reason for separation to homosexual admission under the
provisions of Paragraph 15-3b, with a corresponding separation code of
“JRB.”  It is the policy of the Board not to correct an administrative
error if the correction would result in a less favorable action to the
applicant.  Therefore, the Board will not change the applicant’s narrative
reason for separation to that approved.  The Board, being convinced that
the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both
proper and equitable, voted to deny relief.

3.  Response(s) to item(s) not addressed as decisional issue(s):  NONE

                           PART VII - BOARD ACTION
                   SECTION A - Conclusions/Decisions/Vote

1.    Board conclusion(s):

      The discharge was:

      ( X ) Proper.
      (   ) Improper as to characterization.  Change characterization to
                                               .
      (   ) Improper as to reason.  Change reason to
                                   under                      .

      ( X ) Equitable.
      (   ) Inequitable as to characterization.  Change characterization to
                                         .
      (   ) Inequitable as to reason.  Change reason to
                                 
            under                                 .
      (   ) Both proper and equitable, but characterization/reason for
           separation cited was an administrative/clerical error and should
           be changed to                      under
                                   .

2.  Voting record:      Change   No Change
                  Reason       0         5
    Characterization       0         5

        The names and votes of the members of the Board are recorded in
Part IX of this document and can be obtained by writing to the address
below.  The request must contain the CASE NO. located in the upper right
corner of this document.

                  Department of the Army Review Boards Agency
                  ATTN:  Promulgation Team
                  1901 South Bell Street, 2nd Floor
                  Arlington, VA  22202-4508



3.  Minority views:  NONE
                           PART VII - BOARD ACTION
                 SECTION B - Verification and Authentication

Case report reviewed and verified

                          
MR. RIVERA
Case Reviewing Official

                     PART VIII - DIRECTIVE/CERTIFICATION
                            SECTION A - DIRECTIVE

                                    NONE

                          SECTION B - CERTIFICATION

Approval Authority:


ROBERT L. HOUSE
Colonel, U.S. Army
President, Army Discharge
   Review Board

Official:




MARY E. SHAW
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder

EXHIBITS:
A - Application for review of discharge                  C - Other
B - Material submitted by applicant

INDEX RECORD:

AR Number:  20040003382                   INDEX NUMBERS:  A9405
Date of Review:  050216                                   A9217
Character of Service:  HD                                 A0113
Date of Discharge:  030917
Authority:  AR 635-200 C15
Reason:  A5900
Results of Board Action/
Vote/Affirmation:  NC 5-0 A













                           PART IX - VOTING RECORD

    Name                                   Reason          Characterization
                                           CHANGE   NC     HON  UHC   NC
UNCHAR

    1.      Mbr          X                 X       

    2.      Mbr          X                 X       

    3.      Mbr          X                 X       

    4.      Mbr          X                 X       

    5.      PO           X                 X