Applicant Name:  

Application Receipt Date: 2009/12/15	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states, "I was in Boot Camp at Fort Benning, GA.  I was in B Co 2/47 infantry 4th platoon.  The issue I had is that I was not handling the Army very well.  When I spoke to my drill sargeants SSG [redacted] and Senior drill sargent [redacted] they told me that if I went AWOL that I would receive a failure to adapt discharge.  I decided to wait but still wasn't handling it well.  I became ill and fell a week behind and wasn't allowed to move to a different platoon or make up ciritical training exercises such as using certain weapons.  After going through this I decided that I needed to be out.  Being seventeen years old I was naïve and listened to anyone who had any sort of knowledge about the military.  I did not understand the repercussions of my actions at the time.  Now I am not allowed to rejoin the armed services which is what I wish to do.  I now know that the choice I made february 14, 2006 was a poor choice that I regret daily.  I believe if i was allowed back to the armed services that i would make a good troop now that I have worked hard on my issues.  I joined at seventeen to get out of a boys home I was placed in due to parental drug use.  I rushed into my choice without research or knowledge and made a poor choice.  I apologize to the US Armed Services and to the people of the United States of America for the choice I regrettable made.  I believe that I am eligible for this upgrade under (DOD Directive 1332.14 Encl 3, part 1-F) since I was in under 180 days under entry level separation.  I also request that my reentry code be change from RE4 to RE2 or RE1."

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: 060801
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 060818   Chapter: 10     AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial	   RE:     SPD: KFS   Unit/Location: B Co, 2/47th Inf Rgt, Ft Benning, GA 

Time Lost: AWOL 72 days (060214-060426), 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:  17
Current ENL Date: 051228    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	00 Yrs, 05Mos, 08Days ?????
Total Service:  		00 Yrs, 05Mos, 08Days Includes 106 days of excess leave (060505-060818)
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E1		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 119   EDU: GED   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Rolla, MO
Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted


VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 4 May 2006, the applicant was charged with being AWOL (060214-060427).  
       
       On 4 August 2006, 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 he could receive an under other than honorable conditions discharge and 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 recommended approval of the Chapter 10 request with an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  
       
       On August 2006, 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, 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 military records, and the issue submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  
       
       The evidence of record indicates that 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 the applicant was aware of that prior to requesting discharge. 
       
        Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue that he fell a week behind in training and was not allowed to move to another platoon; however, the applicant had many legitimate avenues through which to obtain assistance or relief, without committing the misconduct, which led to the separation action under review.  
       
       Additionally, the analyst understands that the applicant was 17 upon enlistment but he met entrance qualification standards to include age.  There is no evidence that the applicant was any less mature than other Soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service.
       
       Further, 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 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: 15 September 2010         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: [redacted]



Witnesses/Observers: None 

Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 214

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: N/A										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: ?????






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 AR20100000523
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