Application Receipt Date: 070315	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: 030827/Records

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: 010626   
Chapter: 14    AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct
RE:     SPD: JKA
Unit/Location: A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, Fort Drum, NY 13602-5000 

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:  791204  
Current ENL Date: 980708    Current ENL Term: 3 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 02  Yrs, 11 Mos, 19 Days ?????
Total Service:  03  Yrs, 11 Mos, 03 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: USAR-970724-980708/NA
Highest Grade: E2
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 13B10 Cannon Crewmember   GT: 95   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Bosnia-Herzegovina (dates on DD Form 214 are incorrect.   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: AAM, 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 specific facts and circumstances pertaining 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 14, AR 635-200 by reason of misconduct-pattern of misconduct, with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.  Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JKA (i.e., misconduct-pattern of misconduct).  Evidence of record shows that on 24 June 2001, DA, HQ, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Fort Drum, Fort Drum, NY, Orders 177-1008, discharged the applicant from the Regular Army, effective date:  26 June 2001. 

      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 records for the period of enlistment under review, the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst finds no facts that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  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 Government regularity in the discharge process is presumed.  That DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, paragraph 12b by reason of misconduct-pattern of misconduct, with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.  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, if the applicant desires to reenlist, he should contact the local recruiter to determine his eligibility to reenlist.  Those individuals can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes.  Therefore, 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: 10 September 2007              
Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel:  Yes [redacted]

Witnesses/Observers: No 

Exhibits Submitted: No

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 3    No change 2   - 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, hearing his testimony, and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board does not condone the applicant’s misconduct; however, determined that the characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is now inequitable.  The Board found that the overall length and quality of the applicant’s service and his post service accomplishments, mitigated the discrediting entries 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.  

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: 20 September 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20060017849

Applicant Name:  Mr.        
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