Application Receipt Date: 061020	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: 010905

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

Issues: See applicant's attached DD Form 293 and supporting 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: 931119   
Chapter: 10    AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial
RE:     SPD: KFS
Unit/Location: 902d Engineer Company, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 

Time Lost: None

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

The applicant has an approved Bar to Reenlistment in file dated (920303) for being overweight 41 pounds and 4.75% over body fat.

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
DOB:  640625  
Current ENL Date: 910726    Current ENL Term: 05 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 03Mos, 24Days ?????
Total Service:  09 Yrs, 05Mos, 12Days ?????
Previous Discharges: RA-840608-870624/HD
                                      RA-870625-910725/HD
Highest Grade: E5
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 12C10 (Bridge Crewmember)   GT: 100   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Germany   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: NCOPDR, ASR, OSR (2d Award), AGCM (3d Award), NDSM, AAM
V.  Post-Discharge Activity
Home of Record: 
Current Address: 
Post Service Accomplishments: See applicant's DD Form 293.

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 Chapter 10, AR 635-200, in lieu of trial by court-martial, with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions.  Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of KFS ( i.e., for the good of the service-in lieu of trial by court-martial) with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "3."  Evidence of record futher shows that on 15 November 1993, DA, HQ, U.S. Army Engineer Center and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard, Missouri, Orders 319-352 discharged the applicant from the Regular Army effective date 19 November 1993.  

      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 available records for the period of enlistment under review, the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst recommend 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.  The analyst noted that the applicant’s record contains 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.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 10, AR 635-200, in lieu of trial by court-martial, with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  In connection with such a discharge, the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), with a punitive discharge.  Procedurally, the applicant was required to consult with defense counsel and to voluntarily, and in writing, request separation from the Army in lieu of trial by court-martial.  In doing so, the applicant admitted guilt to the stipulated or lesser-included offenses under the UCMJ.  In the absence of information to the contrary, it is presumed that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  It is also noted that the characterization of service for this type of discharge is normally under other than honorable conditions and that the applicant would have been aware of that prior to requesting discharge.  Therefore, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service remains both proper and equitable.

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 15 May 2007              
Location: Tampa, FL

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: yes [redacted] 


Witnesses/Observers: yes Mr.(Pastor)
                                       Ms. (Pastor Wife)
                                       Ms (Wife) 

Exhibits Submitted: Letter of Reference (8 pages)
                                   Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Card 

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 discharge was inequitable.  While the applicant's misconduct is not condoned, the Board found that the applicant's overall length and quality of service, the circumstances surrounding his discharge, the time that has elapsed since his discharge and his post service accomplishments, mitigated the discrediting entries in the service record.  Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable and change the narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority.  This action does entail a restoration of grade to sergeant/E5.  However, it does not entail a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code.














Case report reviewed and verified by: Eric S. Moore, Examiner									        
X.  Board Action Directed
No Change 
Issue a new DD Form 214  
Change Characterization to:    
Change Reason to: Secretarial Authority under Chapter 5, AR 635-200.
Other: NA
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: E5

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

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

Official: 


MARY E. SHAW				DATE: 22 May 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20060014934

Applicant Name:  Mr.        
______________________________________________________________________


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