Applicant Name: ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2008/06/25	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

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

Issues: The Applicant requests an upgrade to GD and states that after his return from Iraq he was diagnosed with PTSD.  He had over 3 years of honorable service and received several AAMs and ARCOMs, he was a promotable specialist (E-4P) looking at making the Army his career.  He was 19 years old when he deployed to Kuwait and later to Iraq, it tore him apart when combined with his other medical concerns.  He did not receive treatment for his PTSD until 2008; he was literally out of his mind in 2003.  He is very grateful for the inpatient treatment he is receiving from the Arkansas Veterans Affairs Hospital for his PTSD.  He encloses a letter from the VA hospital that indicates he participates in a program for people with psychiatric diagnosis and history of alcohol/drug abuse.

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: 031111
Discharge Received:     Date: 031208   
Chapter: 10    AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial By Court Martial
RE:     SPD: KFS
Unit/Location: 123d Signal Bn, Fort Stewart, GA 

Time Lost: 74 days, AWOL x 2 (030929-031031 and 030531-030630), apprehended.

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 030715, AWOL (030531-030630), reduction to E-3, forfeiture of $764.00 x 2 (suspended), 45 days extra duty and restriction (FG)

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Year/Month:  1983/04  
HOR City, State: Montgomery, AL
Current ENL Date: 000726    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 03 Yrs, 02Mos, 09Days ?????
Total Service:  03 Yrs, 02Mos, 09Days ?????
Previous Discharges: None
Highest Grade: E-4
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 42L/Admin Spc   GT: 115   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: SWA   Combat: Iraq, dates not in file; however, an ARCOM was awarded for service in Iraq (030320-030531)
Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM, ASR

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 11 November 2003, the applicant was charged with being AWOL (030929-031031) and with having intercourse with a married woman not his wife (031030).  On 13 November 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 not submit a statement in his own behalf.  The unit commander and senior intermediate commanders recommended approval of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  On 14 November 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 the entire applicant’s military records, and the issue and document from the Department of Veterans Affairs that he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The evidence of record shows 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 file was void of any evidence of PTSD or injuries sustained by the applicant while in Iraq and the applicant did not provide any corroborating evidence of the aforementioned medical issues.  Additionally, the evidence of record shows that the command attempted to assist the applicant in performing and conducting himself to Army standards by providing counseling and by the imposition of non-judicial punishment.  The applicant failed to respond appropriately to these efforts.  Therefore, 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: 13 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 1    No change 4   - 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: 13 August 2008
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20080010785
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