Search Decisions

Decision Text

ARMY | DRB | CY2009 | AR20090020912
Original file (AR20090020912.txt) Auto-classification: Denied
Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2009/12/01	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The states, in effect, that would like to upgrade his discharge so that he can qualify for his Montgomery GI Bill benefits. He wants to go to college to earn his bachelor's degree so that he can return to the US Army with the intentions on applying to officer candidate school. He believes his discharge should be upgraded because prior to the incident that occurred in January 2009, he had at least 24 months of good service records. He served in operation Iraq Freedom for 14 months. He was awarded an Army Commendation Medal. He admits that he made a mistake that he sincerely regrets, but he believes that his accomplishments in the military outweigh his mistakes. He would like another opportunity to come back to the US Army in a greater capacity than he left and anxious to begin his Army career.  

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: 090310
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 090403   Chapter: 14-12c(2)       AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse)	   RE:     SPD: JKK   Unit/Location: B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, NY 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090122, wrongfully used cocaine between on or about (081122-081125); reduction to the grade of Private (E-1); forfeiture of $699.00 pay per month for two months; extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG)

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  24
Current ENL Date: 060523    Current ENL Term: 5 Years  16 Weeks/The applicant required a moral waiver at the time of enlistment, which was approved on (060426)
Current ENL Service: 	2 Yrs, 10 Mos, 11 Days ?????
Total Service:  		2 Yrs, 10 Mos, 11 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E-4		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 13B10 Cannon Crewmember   GT: 98   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Southwest Asia   Combat: Iraq (070905-081020)
Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR, ICMDLw/1 BSS

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  ?????
Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. 







VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 10 March 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense; in that he wrongfully used ecstasy and marijuana between on or about (070223-070323); wrongfully used marijuana between on or about (070326-070426); and wrongfully used cocaine between on or about (081122-081125), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  He was advised of his rights.  The applicant waived 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 record contains a CID Report of Investigation in reference to the applicant's wrongful use of cocaine, dated 5 February 2009. 

       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 carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and the issue submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The analyst determined that 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.  The applicant, by violating the Army's policy not to possess or use illegal drugs, compromised the trust and confidence placed in a Soldier.  The applicant, as a Soldier, had the duty to support and abide by the Army's drug policies.  By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. 
       
       The analyst noted the applicant's issues that he would like an upgrade of his discharge so that he can qualify for the Montgomery GI Bill benefits, and prior to the incident that occurred in January 2009, he had at least 24 months of good service and believes that his accomplishments in the military outweighed his mistakes.  He would like another opportunity to come back into the US Army.   
       
       Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board.  Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance.  Further, the analyst considered the applicant’s quality of service during the initial portion of the enlistment under review.  However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently meritorious to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge. 
       
       At the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “4.”  An RE code of “4” cannot be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment. 
       
       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: 8 September 2010         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: None

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 6 November 2009.

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 0    No change 5
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: No Change										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: No Change
















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 AR20090020912
______________________________________________________________________________


Page 1 of 3 pages

Similar Decisions

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2010 | AR20100010048

    Original file (AR20100010048.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? On 4 November 2009, the separation authority directed the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. 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.

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2010 | AR20100016990

    Original file (AR20100016990.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 3 November 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense, abuse of illegal drugs; in that he tested positive for cocaine on (090727), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2012 | AR20120007581

    Original file (AR20120007581.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? He completed over 177 missions while in Iraq and completed his combat tour before making that life changing mistake. After returning from lraq, he began having flashbacks, nightmares, and turned to alcohol to cope and he does not remember using cocaine.

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2009 | AR20090011179

    Original file (AR20090011179.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    On 15 December 2004, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: Certificate of Appreciation, self-authored statement, NGB Form 22, DD Form 214, and DD Form 149. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2009 | AR20090021873

    Original file (AR20090021873.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? 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 did not submit a statement in his own behalf. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2010 | AR20100020823

    Original file (AR20100020823.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that after almost six years, he is able to look back at time spent in the military, with pride and honor because of the lessons he learned while enlisted in the US Army. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: No Change RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2009 | AR20090003765

    Original file (AR20090003765.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, "In March of 2008, I failed a drug test and was discharged in August of 2008. On 20 June 2008, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2010 | AR20100024726

    Original file (AR20100024726.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/10/04 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. On 25 March 2009, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2009 | AR20090020305

    Original file (AR20090020305.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records, the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: No Change RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade:...

  • ARMY | DRB | CY2009 | AR20090010510

    Original file (AR20090010510.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Applicant Name: ????? Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 22 Sept 2005, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—for illegal use of drugs, cocaine, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 28 Sept 2005 the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submited a statement in...