Application Receipt Date: 061221	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

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

Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that she is requesting a discharge upgrade from an under other than honorable conditions to a general/under honorable conditions discharge. She is seeking a career in law enforcement and because of her discharge she is having trouble with that.  She left the military due to family issues.   

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: 041020   
Chapter: 10    AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial
RE:     SPD: KFS
Unit/Location: A Company, 1-13th Aviation Regiment, Fort Rucker, AL  36362-5000 

Time Lost: AWOL, for a total of 43 days from (040822-041003).  The applicant surrendered to the military authorities at Fort Rucker, AL and was transferred to Fort Knox, KY  40121

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
DOB:  850915  
Current ENL Date: 040602    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 0 Yrs, 3 Mos, 6 Days ?????
Total Service:  1 Yrs, 8 Mos, 22 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: USAR-021216-040601/NA 
Highest Grade: E3
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 99   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR
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 evidence of record shows the appliant was charged with AWOL, from (22 August 2004 to 3 October 2004).  The applicant’s record is void of the complete facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to a discharge from the Army.  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.  Her DD Form 214 indicates that she was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 10, AR 635-200, for the good of the service-in lieu of 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 court-martial) with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "4."  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 available records for the period of enlistment under review, and the issue she submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the discharge under review.  The applicant’s record is void of the complete facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to her discharge from the Army.  However, the analyst noted that 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.  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, for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  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, the Board was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  It 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.  Furthermore, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities.  Therefore, 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: None 

Exhibits Submitted: Two documents ( i.e., school acceptance letter and a letter stating why she went AWOL) in support of her testimony.




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 her 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 inequitable.  The Board found that the circumstances surrounding the AWOL, mitigated the discrediting entry in the service record.  Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief by changing the characterization of service to uncharacterized.  However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it.  



















Case report reviewed and verified by: Mr. Ron Williams, Examiner									        
X.  Board Action Directed
No Change 
Issue a new DD Form 214  
Change Characterization to:    
Change Reason to: None
Other: None
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: PFC/E3

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

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

Official: 


MARY E. SHAW				DATE: 21 May 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20060017501

Applicant Name:  Ms. 
______________________________________________________________________


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