Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2010/01/07	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant 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?	     
Tender Offer:   NA

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Discharge Under Review
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: 	NIF   Date: NIF
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 040708   Chapter: 14-12c(2)       AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct	   RE:     SPD: JKK   Unit/Location: D Btry, 5-52nd ADA, Fort Bliss, TX 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  18
Current ENL Date: 011016    Current ENL Term: 4 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	02 Yrs, 08Mos, 23Days ?????
Total Service:  		02 Yrs, 08Mos, 23Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E-3		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 92F10 Petroleum Supply Spec   GT: 107   EDU: GED   Overseas: Southwest Asia   Combat: Kuwait (030227-030521)
Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTEM, ASR

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Palm Coast, FL
Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant submitted documents showing that he is a Florida certified firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and a law enforcemment recruit.  

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The facts and circumstances pertaining to the applicant’s discharge from the Army are not contained in the available records.  However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature.  The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  
       
       Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JKK (i.e., misconduct-drug abuse), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of " 4."  On 6 July 2004, DA, HQS, U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss, Fort Bliss, TX, Orders 188-0003, discharged the applicant from the Regular Army, effective date:  8 July 2004. 
       

       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 available military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and document submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant’s discharge.  The analyst determined that the applicant’s available record of service during the period of enlistment under review does not contain the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to the discharge from the Army.  
       
       However, the applicant’s record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature.  This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and the analyst presumed government regularity in the discharge process.  
       
       The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-drug abuse, with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions.  Barring evidence to the contrary, the analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  
       
       The analyst noted the applicant's issue, even though an isolated incident, the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army.  The applicable Army regulation states that there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by an isolated incident provides the basis for a characterization.  
       
       The analyst having examined all the circumstances determined that the applicant's isolated incident of misconduct did indeed adversely affect the quality of service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline.  This isolated incident of misconduct clearly diminished the quality of the applicant's service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge.  
       
       Further, regarding the applicant's issue requesting that his narrative reason for discharge be changed to medical instead of misconduct; however, the available evidence of record shows that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-drug abuse, and that the discharge was not the result of any medical condition.  
       
       The analyst acknowledges the independent document (Department of Veterans Affairs) submitted with the application indicates that the VA found the applicant had anxiety disorder claimed as post traumatic disorder (PTSD); however, the applicant was not granted any disability rating.  The VA finding indicated theb applicant did not meet the criteria for PTSD diagnosis.  
       
       The Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities.
       
       Additionally, the analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life and noted the many accomplishments outlined with the application and in the documents with the application.  However, in review of the applicant’s available service record, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. 
       
       
       The analyst determined that the applicant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) does not contain all the specific documents that would indicate the reason for the separation action from the United States Army.  If the applicant desires to appear before a personal appearance Board, the burden of proof remains with the former Soldier to provide the appropriate documents or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board’s consideration.  
       
       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: 12 March 2010         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: NA

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: NA										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: None
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20100007495
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