Search Decisions

Decision Text

ARMY | DRB | CY2004 | AR20040005569
Original file (AR20040005569.doc) Auto-classification: Approved



                           DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
                         Army Discharge Review Board
                           1901 South Bell Street
                          Arlington, VA  22202-4508
                                11 March 2005


Office of the President




      The Army Discharge Review Board reviewed your case and determined
that relief is warranted.  The Board has directed the ARBA Support
Division, St. Louis, MO, to take action as indicated on the enclosed OSA
Form 172, Case Report and Directive.  This document reflects the findings,
conclusions, and reasons for the Board's decision.  The official
notification of any change to your official military personnel record,
including the appropriate documentation, will be mailed to you by the ARBA
Support Division.

      If you believe that the decision in your case is unclear, not
responsive to the issues raised, or does not otherwise agree with the
decisional document requirements of DoD Directive 1332.28, you may submit a
complaint in accordance with Enclosure 5 of that directive.  You should
read Enclosure 5 of that directive before submitting a complaint.  The
complaint procedure does not permit you to challenge the merits of the
decision, but is designed solely to ensure that the decisional document
meets applicable requirements for clarity and responsiveness.  You may
obtain a copy of DoD Directive 1332.28 by writing to:  DA Review Boards
Agency, Attention:  (Reading Room), The Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310-
1809.

      Should you have any questions relating to the documentation
implementing the Board's decision, you should contact:  ARBA Support
Division, ATTN:  SFMR-RBL-SL, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63132-
5200.

                                  Sincerely,




                                  Robert L. House
                                  Colonel, U.S. Army
                                  President


Enclosure

                           MILITARY REVIEW BOARDS

                           Case Report & Directive


                        PART I - IDENTIFICATION DATA

NAME:       ADDRESS:


      PHONE:




COUNSEL:    ADDRESS:

      PHONE:




ALTERNATE PERSON(S) TO BE NOTIFIED:     ADDRESS:

RELATIONSHIP:                     PHONE:



TYPE REPORT:

   ( X ) Original
   (   ) Addendum




                                   REMARKS
                            Case Management Data

(   )  Response to other correspondence required upon completion of case.

(   )  DD Form 149 in file.  Send case to ABCMR.


















OSA FORM 172 (REVISED) 22 May 98     Cover Sheet
                         PART II - APPLICATION DATA

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

1.  Character of Discharge:  General, Under Honorable Conditions

2.  Date of discharge (or REFRAD):  030310

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:
                                           NDSM
    a.  Period entered for:  3 Years               ASR
    b.  Entry date:  020214
    c.  Age:  20 Years   DOB:  810730


    d.  Educational level:  HS Grad


    e.  Aptitude area score:
          GT:  113                               3.  Highest grade
achieved:
    f.  Length of Service:                         E2
          1 Year  0 Month(s)  0 Day(s)

                                               4.  Performance evaluations:

                                                   NONE

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

5.  Periods of unauthorized absence:

    Status       Inclusive dates
      AWOL         021016-021111

      Mil conf

      Civil conf

      Other


6.  Nonjudicial punishment:

      Date  Offense(s)
      021209     AWOL (021016-021112) (Field 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 12 January 2003, the applicant
requested administrative separation after admitting that he was homosexual
and that he had a natural propensity to engage in sexual activity with
members of the same sex.  On 30 January 2003, the unit commander notified
the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of
Chapter 15, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual admission, with a general,
under honorable conditions discharge.  He was advised of his rights.  The
applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the
discharge action, waived his right to appear before an administrative
separation board contingent upon receiving an honorable discharge, and did
not submit a statement in his own behalf.  The unit commander subsequently
recommended separation from the service.  The intermediate commander
reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the
separation action with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  On
20 February 2003, the separation authority directed that the applicant be
discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable
conditions.

      b.  On 10 March 2003, the applicant was discharged.  At the time of
discharge, the applicant had completed 1 year of active military service
and accrued 28 days of lost time in the period under review.

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, dated 040730, with one (1) enclosure.
      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, D.C. on 9 March
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:
          ( X )  Additional issue(s) identified during review/hearing as
              follows:

        Board Issue:  (5)  The discharge is improper.

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

        (5)  The issue is accepted.  The Board noted that under the
provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 15, the applicant was entitled to have
his case considered by an administrative separation board.  After
consultation with legal counsel, the applicant waived an appearance before
an administrative separation board solely contingent upon receiving an
honorable discharge.  The applicant’s chain of command was compelled to
either accept his conditional waiver for an honorable discharge or direct
that he appear before a separation board.  However, the applicant’s chain
of command recommended he receive a general discharge, and the separation
authority approved the separation action and directed that he receive a
general discharge.  Given the above factors, the Board found that the
applicant did not unconditionally waive his legal right to appear before an
administrative separation board and was denied an opportunity to have his
case considered by an administrative separation board.  In view of the
foregoing, the Board determined that the discharge was improper.
Accordingly, the Board voted to grant full relief by changing the
characterization of service to honorable and changing the narrative reason
for separation to Secretarial Authority.  This action does not entail a
change in RE code.

      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.

        (1-4)  See Paragraph 3, below.

3.  Response(s) to item(s) not addressed as decisional issue(s):

    Inasmuch as the Board voted to grant the full relief requested,
response to the remaining issues is neither required nor rendered.


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

1.    Board conclusion(s):

      The discharge was:

      (   ) Proper.
      ( X ) Improper as to characterization.  Change characterization to
           Honorable.
      ( X ) Improper as to reason.  Change reason to Secretarial Authority
           under Chapter 5, AR 635-200.

      (   ) 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       5         0
    Characterization       5         0

        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

                          
Ms. McKim-Spilker
Case Reviewing Official

                     PART VIII - DIRECTIVE/CERTIFICATION
                            SECTION A - DIRECTIVE

TO: ARBA Support Division-St Louis      Date:  11 March 2005

     The Army Discharge Review Board, established under the provisions of
Section 30, Public Law 346, 78th Congress, 22 June 1944 and codified as
Title 10, United States Code, Section 1553, in the case of the applicant
named in Part I directs that the ARBA Support Division-St Louis issue a new
DD Form 2l4 to the applicant which reflects the following directed
change(s):

           ( X ) Change characterization of discharge to Honorable.
           ( X ) Change reason and authority for discharge to
            Secretarial Authority, AR 635-200.
           ( X ) Other (see remarks below).

Remarks:  This action does not entail a change in RE code.


                          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:  20040005569                   INDEX NUMBERS:  A0142
Date of Review:  050309                                   A0154
Character of Service:  GD                                 A1200
Date of Discharge:  030310                                A9500
Authority:  AR 635-200 C15
Reason:  A4200
Results of Board Action/
Vote/Affirmation:  HD 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                 






Similar Decisions

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2003 | 2003084932

    Original file (2003084932.rtf) Auto-classification: Approved

    On 24 September 2002, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. PART VII - BOARD ACTIONSECTION B - Verification and Authentication Case report reviewed and verified MR. RON WILLIAMS Case Reviewing Official PART VIII - DIRECTIVE/CERTIFICATIONSECTION A - DIRECTIVE TO: ARBA Support Division-St Louis Date: 11 July 2003 The Army Discharge Review Board,...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2003 | AR2003095791

    Original file (AR2003095791.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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. The Board determined that the applicant’s reason for discharge was both proper and equitable, and voted not to change it. 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,...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2004 | AR20040002598

    Original file (AR20040002598.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    On 9 May 2003, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. Minority views: NONE PART VII - BOARD ACTION SECTION B - Verification and Authentication Case report reviewed and verified Ms. McKim-Spilker Case Reviewing Official PART VIII - DIRECTIVE/CERTIFICATION SECTION A - DIRECTIVE TO: ARBA Support Division-St Louis Date: 11 February 2005 The Army...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2004 | AR20040000485

    Original file (AR20040000485.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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 the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter l4, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—commission of a serious offense, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. Other than the administrative correction noted...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2000 | 2000047820

    Original file (2000047820.rtf) Auto-classification: Approved

    Evidence of record shows that on 4 March 1986, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter l5, AR 635-200, by reason of admission of homosexuality, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The applicant waived legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in her own behalf. EXHIBITS: A - Application for review of discharge C - Other B - Material submitted by applicant

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2003 | 2003090145

    Original file (2003090145.rtf) Auto-classification: Approved

    On 21 December 1988, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of honorable. Regulations currently in effect list the reason for the applicant’s discharge as “Homosexual Act.” Accordingly, the Board voted to grant partial relief by changing the narrative reason on the DD Form 214 to “Homosexual Act.” (1-4) The issues are rejected. EXHIBITS: A - Application for review of discharge C - Other B - Material submitted by applicant

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2004 | AR20040003678

    Original file (AR20040003678.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    On 15 April 2002, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. Minority views: NONE PART VII - BOARD ACTION SECTION B - Verification and Authentication Case report reviewed and verified Ms. McKim-Spilker Case Reviewing Official PART VIII - DIRECTIVE/CERTIFICATION SECTION A - DIRECTIVE TO: ARBA Support Division-St Louis Date: 25 February 2005 The Army Discharge Review Board, established under the...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2000 | 2000044951

    Original file (2000044951.rtf) Auto-classification: Approved

    The evidence of record shows that the applicant was properly discharge under the provisions of Chapter 15, AR 635-200 due to her self-admission of homosexuality/bisexuality with a general, under honorable conditions characterization of service. The Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. SECTION B - CERTIFICATION Approval Authority:WILSON A. SHATZER Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2004 | AR20040001377

    Original file (AR20040001377.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    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. 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 TO: ARBA Support Division-St Louis Date: 14 January 2005 The Army Discharge Review...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2002 | 2002067594

    Original file (2002067594.TXT) Auto-classification: Approved

    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. On 21 May 2001, the applicant was discharged. 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: 2002067594 INDEX NUMBERS: A9406 Date of Review: 020313 A9218 Character of...