Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2009/10/14	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues:  Suffered from PTSD and psychiatric problems which impaired his ability to serve.

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: 050926
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 051108   Chapter: 10    AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial	   RE:     SPD: KFS   Unit/Location: Regt HHT, 3rd ACR (Rear) (Provisional), Fort Carson, CO 

Time Lost: AWOL x5 for a total of 44 days (050609-050621; 050711-050720; 050826-050829; 050901-050907; 050913-050922), surrendered. 

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): Applicant was pending a FG Article 15 which was read to him on 22 Aug 05 for being AWOL x 2 (050609-050621 and 050711-050720).  The punishment was not imposed as the applicant departed AWOL again.

Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NA

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  24
Current ENL Date: 040219    Current ENL Term: 6 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	01 Yrs, 07Mos, 06Days ?????
Total Service:  		03 Yrs, 10Mos, 19Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	RA 011106-040218/HD
                                      
Highest Grade: E-4/CPL		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 19D10/Cavalry Scout   GT: 103   EDU: GED   Overseas: Kuwait, Iraq   Combat: Iraq x 2 (030412-040511), dates for 2nd Iraq tour are not in the record..
Decorations/Awards: AAM, NDSM, NCOPDR, ASR, GWOTSM, ICM

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 26 September 2005, the applicant was charged with five specifications of AWOL (050609-050621; 050711-050720; 050826-050829; 050901-050907; 050913-050922) and damage to military property.  
       
       On 3 October 2005, 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 submitted a statement in his own behalf.  The unit commander and intermediate commanders recommended approval of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  
       
       On 31 October 2005, 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, under honorable conditions 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 from the Veterans Administration, mitigated the discrediting entries in the service record.  ?
       
       Furthermore, the record shows the applicant (now deceased) was diagnosed with a major depressive disorder (050727).  Accordingly the analyst determined that the characterization of service was too harsh and as a result, it is inequitable and recommends relief in the form of an upgrade to general, under honorable conditions.  The analyst determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable.?This action entails restoration of grade to E-4/CPL.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 12 May 2010         Location: Washington, D.C.

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: Custody Order, El Paso County, CO; Certificate of Death (Applicant); Certificate of Birth (Applicant's Son); Police Report, Pueblo Police Department; VA Disability Rating Decision; Excerpts from medical records. 

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 discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief.  
        
IX.  Board Decision						
	XI.  Certification Signature
Board Vote:  							          Approval Authority:	
Character - Change 1    No change 4
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: NA
Other: NA										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: NA
















Legend:
AWOL    	Absent Without Leave		GCM   General Court Martial	NA   Not applicable			SCM	Summary Court Martial
BCD   	Bad Conduct Discharge	GD      General Discharge	NIF   Not in the file			SPCM	Special Court Martial
CG 	Company Grade Article 15	HD      Honorable Discharge	OAD   Ordered to Active Duty		UNC	Uncharacterized Discharge  
DD 	Dishonorable Discharge	HS       High School Graduate	OMPF   Official Military Personnel File	UOTH  	Under Other Than Honorable 
FG	Field Grade Article 15		IADT   Initial Active Duty Training	RE     Reentry Code				Conditions 

ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20090018390
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