Applicant Name: 

Application Receipt Date: 070823	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

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

Issues: I request that my re code should be changed from a 4 to a 3 due to the fact that I was 18 when I went into the Army.  I was young and really didn't understand that what the NCOs and everyone else was just trying to help me and better me.  Now that I am 21  and have responsibilities now and I want to rejoin the Army.  Also I understand that I broke all the Army rules and apologize for that, if given a second opportunity I would do things alot different, I have talked to my father a retired SFC, who have been in both Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom and I now know what mistakes I have made, I look up to him and his advice, being a SR NCO, and leader, everyone deserves a second chance. The reason I left was due to the fact that I was told that since it was entry level discharge that I would be able to come back in 2 years and I didn't know that I was getting a re code 4.  I showed no character no integrity and no honor to my fellow Soldiers I let them down my family and most of all my self.  I want to prove to everyone that I deserve to get back in and start a clean slate and that is why I request that my discharge should be changed, thank you.

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: 050204
Discharge Received:     Date: 050218   
Chapter: 14    AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct
RE:     SPD: JKK
Unit/Location: A Co, 244th QM Bn, Fort Lee, VA 23801 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 050121, wrongful use of marijuana on or before (050103), reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $618 x 1, extra duty for 30 days and restriction for 30 days (FG).

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Year/Month:  8603  
HOR City, State: Cleveland, OH
Current ENL Date: 040825    Current ENL Term: 6 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 05 Mos, 24Days ?????
Total Service:  00  Yrs, 05 Mos, 24 Days Includes 2 days of excess leave (041231-050101).
Previous Discharges: None
Highest Grade: E-2
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 99   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

      a.  Facts and Circumstances:
      Evidence of record shows that on 28 January 2005, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense for wrongful use of marijuana, with an uncharacterized separation of service.  He was advised of his rights.  The applicant waived legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not  submit a statement in his own behalf.  The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts.  The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an uncharacterized discharge.  On 7 February 2005, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized separation of service. 
      
      
      
      
      
      

      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 military records during the period of enlistment under review and the issues he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The applicant, by violating the Army's policy not to possess or use illegal drugs, compromised the trust and confidence placed in a Soldier.  The applicant, as a Soldier, had the duty to support and abide by the Army's drug policies.  By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable or a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the evidence of record shows 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.  Additionally, the analyst noted that the applicant met entrance qualification standards to include age.  There is no evidence that the applicant was any less mature than other soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service.  Finally, 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.  In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief.  
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 8 September 2008              
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.





















 

								        
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: 

EDGAR J. YANGER
Colonel, U.S. Army
President, Army Discharge Review Board

Official: 


CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON			DATE: 10 September 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20070011786
______________________________________________________________________


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