Application Receipt Date: 060608	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

I.  Applicant Request
Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents.

II.  Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed?  
Yes    No        Tender Offer:   ?????

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Original Character of Discharge
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge:    Date: NIF
Discharge Received:     Date: 050803   
Chapter: 10    AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu Of Trial By Court-Martial
RE:     SPD: KFS
Unit/Location: B Company 3rd Bn 505th PIR Fort Bragg, NC 28310 

Time Lost: AWOL-317 days (040715-050531), surrendered to military authorities at Fort Bragg, NC on (050601) and transferred to Fort Knox, KY.

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 050610-AWOL, (040715-050531), (Company Grade).

Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
DOB:  840609  
Current ENL Date: 021016    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  item 12a on DD Form 214, date entered active duty this period is incorrect, should read (021016).
Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 07Mos, 00Days ?????
Total Service:  02 Yrs, 07 Mos, 6 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: USAR-011010-021015/NA
Highest Grade: E4
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 11B1P   GT: 126   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: SWA   Combat: Iraq (030804-040320)
Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM, NDSM, ICM, GWOTSM, CIB, C/Ach, C/App 
V.  Post-Discharge Activity
Home of Record: 
Current Address: 
Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states he volunteered for 90 hours at a local hospital.  He further states he has a 4.0 grade point average with a double major in chemistry and biochemistry, contributed to an academic journal at the University of Minnesota earing a full academic scholarship, and serves as a member on the University's social concerns committee. 

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

      a.  Facts and Circumstances:
      The evidence of record shows that on 6 July 2005, the applicant was charged with AWOL from (040715-050531).  On 23 June 2005, the 82nd Airborne Division Psychiatrist, diagnosed the applicant with disorders of Axis I:  300.00, an anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, 296.90, a mood disorder, not otherwise specified, and recommmended that he discharged from the Army with a general, under honorable conditions characetrization of service.  On 26 June 2005, the applicant consulted with legal counsel and voluntarily requested, in writing, discharge under the provisions of Chapter 10, AR 635-200 in lieu of trial by court-martial.  In this request, the applicant admitted guilt to the offense, or a lesser included offense.  Further, the applicant indicated that he understood that he would receive a general, under honorable conditions discharge and that the discharge would have some effect on eligibility for veteran’s benefits.  The applicant submitted a statement in his own behalf.  The applicant's chain of command recommended disapproval of the request for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  The separation authority disapproved the request for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial.  On 24 July 2005, again the applicant consulted with legal counsel and voluntarily requested, in writing, discharge under the provisions of Chapter 10, AR 635-200 in lieu of trial by court-martial.  The applicant's chain of command recommended approval of the request for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  On 26 July 2005, the separation authority approved the discharge and directed that the applicant be separated from the Army with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  The applicant was to be reduced to the lowest enlisted rank. 
      

      b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
      Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 10 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, that a member who has committed an offense or offenses for which the authorized punishment includes a punitive discharge may submit a request for a 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.  Army policy states that although an honorable or general discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate.  

      c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
      After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst recommends that the applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to general, under honorable conditions.  This recommendation was made after full consideration of his faithful and honorable service, as well as his record of misconduct.  The evidence in this case supports a conclusion that the applicant’s characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is now inequitable.  While the applicant's misconduct is not condoned, the analyst found that the overall length and quality of the applicant's service, to include his combat service, the medical circumstances surrounding the discharge and his post service accomplishments mitigated the discrediting entries in his service record.  However, the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable.  This action entails a restoration of grade to SPC/E4.  
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
        

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 2 July 2007              
Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: No

Witnesses/Observers: No 

Exhibits Submitted: The applicant submitted nine additional documents in support of his personal appearance hearing.




VIII.  Board Decision
The discharge was:			Proper	 	Improper	
				                 	Equitable	 	Inequitable	

The characterization of service was:   Proper	 	Improper	
				                 	Equitable	 	Inequitable	

The narrative reasons were: 	       	Equitable	 	Inequitable	

DRB voting record:  		      	Change     No change    (Character)
		 			       	Change     No change    (Reason)
					      (Board member names available upon request)

IX.  Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation
After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review, hearing his testimony, and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is now inequitable.  The Board does not condone the applicant's misconduct; however, found that the overall length and quality of the applicant's service, to include his combat service, the medical circumstances surrounding the discharge, and his post service accomplishments, mitigated the discrediting entry in his service record.  Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable.  However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it.  This action entails a restoration of grade to SPC/E4.  











 


Case report reviewed and verified by: Mr. Kenneth McFarley, Examiner									        
X.  Board Action Directed
No Change 
Issue a new DD Form 214  
Change Characterization to:    
Change Reason to: NA
Other: NA
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: SPC/E4

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

MARK E. COLLINS
Colonel, U.S. Army
President, Army Discharge Review Board

Official: 


MARY E. SHAW				DATE: 11 July 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20060008552

Applicant Name:  Mr.        
______________________________________________________________________


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