Application Receipt Date: 061016	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

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

Issues: See applicant's DD Form 293.

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: 031205   
Chapter: 14    AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct
RE:     SPD: JKK
Unit/Location: Company C, 447th Signal Battalion, 15th Signal Brigade, Fort Gordon, GA 30905-5000 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF

Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
DOB:  840920  
Current ENL Date: 030513    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 00  Yrs, 06 Mos, 23 Days ?????
Total Service:  00  Yrs, 06 Mos, 23 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: None
Highest Grade: E1
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: NIF   EDU: GED Cert   Overseas: NIF   Combat: NIF
Decorations/Awards: None
V.  Post-Discharge Activity
Home of Record: 
Current Address: 
Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

      a.  Facts and Circumstances:
      The specific facts and circumstances leading to the applicant’s discharge from the Army are not contained in the available records.  However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature.  His DD Form 214 indicates that he was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 14, paragraph 12c(2) by reason of misconduct-abuse of illegal drugs, with a separation of   service of uncharacterized.  Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JKK (i.e., misconduct-abuse of illegal drugs).  The evidence of record further shows that on 3 December 2003, DA, HQ, United States Army  Signal Center and Fort Gordon, GA, Orders 337-0900, discharged the applicant from the Regular Army, effective date:  5 December 2003.   

      b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
      Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 14 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for misconduct.  Specific categories include minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, and commission of a serious offense, to include abuse of illegal drugs, convictions by civil authorities and desertion or absence without leave.  Action will be taken to separate a member for misconduct when it is clearly established that rehabilitation is impractical or unlikely to succeed.  Army policy states that an under other than honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate, but a general discharge under honorable conditions or an honorable discharge may be granted.

      c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
      After a careful review of all the applicant’s available military records for the period of enlistment under review and the issues he submitted, the analyst found no facts that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge and recommends to the Board that relief be denied in this case.  The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to his discharge from the Army.  However, the applicant’s record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature.  This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and the analyst presumed Government regularity in the discharge process.  That DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 14, paragraph 12c by reason of misconduct-abuse of illegal drugs, with a characterization of service of uncharacterized.  Barring evidence to the contrary, the analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  Furthermore, the analyst noted that the applicant received an uncharacterized separation while in an entry-level status (ELS).  Army Regulation 635-200, provides in pertinent part, that a Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty.  The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period.  Soldiers who are found to lack the necessary motivation, adaptability, self-discipline, ability, or attitude to become productive Soldiers may be expeditiously separated while in entry-level status.  The analyst noted the applicant's issue requesting a general discharge; however, a general discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions.    Additionally, at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “4.”  An RE code of “4” can not be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment.  Therefore, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable. 
      
VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 21 November 2007              
Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: NA

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 0    No change 5   - Character
		 			      Change 0    No change 5   - 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 and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable, and voted to deny relief.

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: None
Other: NA
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: None

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

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

Official: 


CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON			DATE: 28 November 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20060014781

Applicant Name:  Mr.        
______________________________________________________________________


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