Application Receipt Date: 071205	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

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

Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents 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:    Date: 070227
Discharge Received:     Date: 070413   
Chapter: 14    AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct, Drug Abuse
RE:     SPD: JKK
Unit/Location: HHC, 50th Sig Bn, Fort Bragg, NC 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070131, wrongfully used cocaine (061228-070103), reduction to E-5, $1,161 x 2, extra duty for 45 days (FG).

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
DOB:  720309  
Current ENL Date: 060913    Current ENL Term: 2  Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 00  Yrs, 07 Mos, 01Days ?????
Total Service:  06  Yrs, 05 Mos, 26 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: RA-001018-050102/HD
                                      RA-050103-060912/HD
Highest Grade: E-6
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 25P2P Microwave System Operator/Maintainer   GT: 124   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Southwest Asia   Combat: Afghanistan (030512-031101)/Iraq (041123-051107)
Decorations/Awards: JSAM, AAM-2, AGCM, NDSM, ACM, GWOTEM, ICM, GWOTSM, NCOPDR, ASR, OSR, JSUA-2, MUC
V.  Post-Discharge Activity
Home of Record: 
Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed 

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

      a.  Facts and Circumstances:
      The evidence of record shows that on 27 February 2007, 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/drug abuse, he received a Field Grade Article 15 on (070131) for wrongful use of cocaine, with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  He was advised of his rights.  On 27 February 2007, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and requested consideration of his case by an administrative separation board, and submitted a statement in his own behalf.  On 27 February 2007, again the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, voluntarily waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board contingent upon him receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than a general, under honorable conditions discharge, and submitted 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 a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  On 9 March 2007, the senior intermediate commander (Deputy Bde Cdr) reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended that the case be referred to an administrative separation board, and the applicant be discharged with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  On 23 March 2007, the separation authority approved the conditional waiver request, waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.
      
      The record contains a CID Report of Investigation dated 22 January 2007.

      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, the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst found several mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to fully honorable.  The analyst does not condone the applicant’s misconduct; however, the evidence in this case supports a conclusion that the characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is inequitable.  The analyst found that the overall length quality of the applicant's service; to include his combat service (2 tours), and the independent medical documentation from the VA Center, mitigated the discrediting entries in his service record.  However, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge was fully supported by the record and therefore, remains both proper and equitable. 

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 6 February 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 5    No change 0   - 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 is too harsh, and as a result it is inequitable.  The Board determined 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 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: 7 February 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20070017819

Applicant Name:  
______________________________________________________________________


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