Application Receipt Date: 080424	

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: NIF
Discharge Received:     Date: 070420   
Chapter: 14    AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct, (Serious Offense)
RE:     SPD: JKQ
Unit/Location: 603rd Trans Co, Fort Polk, LA 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070123, physically control a vehicle with a BAC of .089% grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath or greater as shown by chemical analysis (061217), reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $650 X 2, extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG).

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
DOB:  830722  
Current ENL Date: 051208    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  The applicant extended 6 months on 050826.
Current ENL Service: 01  Yrs, 04 Mos, 13 Days ?????
Total Service:  03 Yrs, 10 Mos, 04Days ?????
Previous Discharges: RA-030617-051207/HD
Highest Grade: E-4
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 88M10 Motor Transport/21E1P Heavy Construction Equipment Operator   GT: 99   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Southwest Asia   Combat: Iraq (040716-050614)
Decorations/Awards: AAM, NDSM, ICM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR-2, 
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 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 physically control a vehicle with a BAC of .089% grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath or greater as shown by chemical analysis (061217), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  He was advised of his rights.  The applicant consulted with 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 a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  The separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.
      
      The applicant's record contains a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand for impeding the flow of traffic and driving after drinking dated 21 December 2006 (Administrative).
      
      The applicant's record contains three Military Police Report dated 17 December 2006.
      
      
      
      
      
      
      

      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, however, a general 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 issues and documents he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel.  By his misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant’s service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance.  Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue that he wanted his discharged changed to medical, however, Army Regulation 635-200, provides that action will be taken to separate a Soldier for misconduct, when it is clearly established despite attempts to rehabilitate or develop him into a satisfactory Soldier, and that further effort is unlikely to succeed.  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: 11 June 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 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 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, and the circumstances surrounding his discharge, mitigated the discrediting entries 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 McFarely, 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: 12 June 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20080006328

Applicant Name:      
______________________________________________________________________

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