Applicant Name:  

Application Receipt Date: 2008/04/15	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

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

II.  Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed?	     
Tender Offer:   NA

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Discharge Under Review
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: 	   Date: 070604
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 070614   Chapter: 10      AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court Martial	   RE:     SPD: KFS   Unit/Location:  HHC, 2d BCT, Ft Carson, CO 

Time Lost: AWOL 105 days, (061005-070118) surrendered. 

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

Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  24
Current ENL Date: 050221    Current ENL Term: 6 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	2 Yrs, 03Mos, 24Days ?????
Total Service:  		6 Yrs, 11Mos, 02Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	RA 000329-040328 HD
                                       RA 030329-050220 HD
Highest Grade: E6		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 31B10/Military Police   GT: 112   EDU: GED   Overseas: Saudia Arabia, Korea   Combat: Iraq (040808-050801)
Decorations/Awards: BSM, ARCOMx2, AAMx3, AGCMx2, NDSM, AFEM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ASR, OSRx2, CAB 

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  
Post Service Accomplishments: None listed

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 14 March 2007, the applicant was charged with Desertion with the intent to avoid hazardous duty, namely: deployment to Iraq, quit his unit (061005-070118).  On 11 April 2007, 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 lesser named offense of Absence Without Leave, in violation of Article 86, UCMJ.  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 submitted a statement in his own behalf.  On 4 June 2007, the unit commander recommended disapproval of the Chapter 10 request with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  On 7 June 2007, 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 available military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and documents submitted with the application, 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 the former soldier’s faithful and honorable service, as well as the 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 noted that the overall length and quality of the applicant's service, to include the combat service, and the supporting medical documents/circumstances from Evans Army Community Hospital, mitigated the discrediting entries in the service record.  Furthermore, the record supports that the applicant was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and major depressive disorder on 21 February 2007 before his discharge from the USA.  Accordingly, the analyst recommends to the Board that the applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to general, under honorable conditions.  However, the reason for discharge remains both proper and equitable.  This action entails a restoration of grade to SSG/E-6.  

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 6 February 2009         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: NA

VIII.  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 to include his combat service and the circumstances surrounding his misconduct (supporting medical document) 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.  This action entails a restoration of grade to SSG/E-6.   
        
IX.  Board Decision						
	XI.  Certification Signature
Board Vote:  							          Approval Authority:	
Character - Change 5    No change 0
Reason -     Change 0    No change 5
(Board member names available upon request)
								         EDGAR J. YANGER			 
								         Colonel, U.S. Army
X.  Board Action Directed					         President, Army Discharge Review Board
Issue a new DD Form 214  					
Change Characterization to: 			         
Change Reason to: No change
Other: NA										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: E-6
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20080005815
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