Applicant Name:  

Application Receipt Date: 2007/10/09	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None	

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

Issues: IT WAS ALWAYS MY AMBITION TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY. I WAS ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE AFTER A WEEKEND AWAY. I HADN'T PLANNED TO BE ABSENT AND MY FEAR OF THE CONSEQUENCES KEPT ME FROM RETURNING. I WAS YOUNGER AND LESS MATURE. I DID RETURN AND FACED MY PUNISHMENT AND RECEIVED MY DISCHARGE. HOWEVER IT HASN'T SAT WELL ON MY CONSCIENCE AND I STILL WISH TO SERVE. I KNOW I CAN APPLY FOR A WAIVER TO RE-ENLIST BUT I WOULD LIKE MY CHARACTER OF SERVICE UPGRADED REGARDLESS. I WAS A GOOD SOLDIER WHILE I WAS ENLISTED AND HAD BEEN PROMOTED ON THE FAST TRACK SYSTEM. I ENJOYED MILITARY LIFE AND MY PROSPECTS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW OF ANY DESCRIPTION AND I WORK NOW AS A UNION CARPENTER. I AM STABLE AND CONSCIENTIOUS AND MY MISDEED IN THE ARMY WAS VERY MUCH OUT OF CHARACTER. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF REAPPLYING TO JOIN THE ARMY NOW BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CHARCTER OF SERVICE UPGRADED ANYWAY. IT WOULD MEAN A GREAT DEAL TO ME. I HOPE THAT MY APPLICATION TO THE ARMY TO RE-ENLIST IS SUCCESSFUL AND THAT I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE HONORABLY AND GAIN SOME SORT OF REDEMPTION. I ALSO HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER MY REQUEST. SINCERELY…

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: 960830
Discharge Received:     Date: 970122   
Chapter:   10      AR: 635-200
Reason: In lieu of trial by court martial
RE:     SPD:    KFS
Unit/Location: D Co, 1st Bn (ABN), 507th IN, 11th IN Rgt, FT Benning, GA 

Time Lost: AWOL for 497 days (950410-960821), apprehended.

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

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Year/Month:  1967/01  
HOR City, State: Yonkers, NY
Current ENL Date: 941229    Current ENL Term:   3   Years  ?????
Current ENL Service:   00  Yrs,  08  Mos,  04Days ?????
Total Service:    02  Yrs,   00 Mos,   23 Days Applicant was placed on excess leave for 145 days (960831-970122).
Previous Discharges: None
Highest Grade:   E2 
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 11C10   Indirect Fire Infantryman   GT:   124     EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: None	   Combat: None	
Decorations/Awards: ASR / NDSM

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 August 1996, the applicant was charged with being AWOL (950410-960821).  On 30 August 1996, 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 not submit a statement in his own behalf.  The unit commander recommended approval of the Chapter 10 request with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  On 19 October 1996, the separation authority approved the Chapter 10 request with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  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, and the issue he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The evidence of record indicates that the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) with a punitive discharge.  The applicant consulted with defense counsel, and voluntarily in writing, requested 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.  The analyst noted that all the 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 was aware of that prior to requesting discharge.  Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue and at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “3.”  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 analyst determined 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: 20 August 2008              
Location: Washington D.C.

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: NA
Other: NA
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: NA

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

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

Official: 


CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON			DATE: 21 August 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20070013932
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