Applicant Name: 
Application Receipt Date: 070926	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

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

Issues: See enclosed DD Form 293 and attached documents (8) submitted by the Applicant.

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: NIF  Date: NIF
Discharge Received:     Date: 031105   
Chapter: 10    AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court Martial
RE:     SPD: KFS
Unit/Location: A Company, U.S. Army Medical Activitiy, III Corps and Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas, 76544 

Time Lost: None

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

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Year/Month:  6409  
HOR City, State: Rowlesburg, WV
Current ENL Date: 010328    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 07Mos, 08Days ?????
Total Service:  15 Yrs, 00Mos, 28Days ?????
Previous Discharges: ARNG 840215-840502/NA
                                      ADT    840503-840811/HD
                                     ARNG 840812-890425/HD
                                     RA 890426-930625/HD
                                       (Break in Service)
                                     RA 980219-010327/HD

Highest Grade: E5
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 91W10/Health Care Spec   GT: 99   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Israel, Southwest Asia, Germany, Saudi Arabia      Combat:  Kuwait (920201-920416)
Decorations/Awards: AAM (3), AGCM (3) NDSM (2), SWASMw/2 BSS, NPDR, ASR, OSR, KLM-(K), KLM-(SA) 

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

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

      a.  Facts and Circumstances:
      The evidence of record shows that on 30 September 2003, the applicant was charged with willfully disobeying a lawful order from a CPT 030819 his superior commissioned officer, to "get on the airplane and depart for Korea". On 17 October 2003 the applicant consulted with legal counsel and voluntarily requested, in writing, discharge under the provisions of Chapter 10, AR 635-200 in lieu of trial by court-martial.  In this request, the applicant admitted guilt to the offense, or a lesser included offense.  Further, the applicant indicated that he understood that he could receive an under other than honorable conditions discharge and that the discharge would have a significant effect on eligibility for veteran’s benefits.  The applicant did submit a statement in his  own behalf.  On 24 October 2003, the separation authority approved the discharge with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions.  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 military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and documents he submitted, the analyst recommends that the applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to general, under honorable conditions.  This recommendation was made after full consideration of his faithful and honorable service, as well as his record of misconduct.  The evidence in this case supports a conclusion that the applicant’s characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is inequitable.  While the applicant's misconduct is not condoned, the analyst found that the overall length and quality of the applicant's service, to include his combat service mitigated the discrediting entry in his service record.  Accordingly, the analyst recommends to the Board that the applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to general, under honorable conditions.  However, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the reenlistment (RE) code was both proper and equitable.  This action entails a restoration of grade to SGT/E-5.  
      

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 5 September 2008              
Location: Washington DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: Yes




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 4    No change 1   - 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 characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant’s length and quality of his service and the circumstances surrounding his misconduct and as a result it is inequitable.  Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to General, Under Honorable Conditions.  The Board determined that the reason for discharge was proper and equitable and voted not to change it.  

								        
X.  Board Action Directed
No Change 
Issue a new DD Form 214  
Change Characterization to:    
Change Reason to: NA
Other: NA
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: ?????

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

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

Official: 


CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON			DATE: 5 September 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20070013365
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