Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2010/06/30	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that he is requesting an upgrade of his discharge because he was a very good Soldier while serving his country. He believes his commander was biased and did not give him a fair chance at completing his military service and also to advance even through a demotion. His 1st Sergeant pushed for him to stay in the military as well did all of his other superiors, but the company commander would not allow it. He does not believe he deserve anything other than an honorable discharge and do not want this to hold him back from the career that he desires. 

This type of discharge also holds him back from the Post 9/11 GI Bill. He served his country for the purpose of getting his college degree. He volunteered to serve in Iraq when the battalion commander of the 84th Engineer Battalion asked him if he was willing to go. He transferred from the 82nd Engineer Company to the 84th with only 1 month left before he left for Iraq. He served 4 years and had only one Article 15. He strongly dispute the Article 15 given, but chose not to attest the charges in a court, based on persistence from the 1LT and the battalion commander that this could give him a sentence to the brig and ruin his chances at obtaining any type of notable career. He served his country honorably and he believes that he deserves that title in his discharge "honorable." 

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: 080303
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 080314   Chapter: 14-12c (2)       AR: 635-200
Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse)	   RE:     SPD: JKK   Unit/Location: Forward Support Company, 84th Engineer Combat Battalion )Heavy), Schofield Barracks HI 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 071218, wrongfully used cocaine between on or about (071109-071113), reduction to Private (E-1), forfeiture of $650.00 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:  21
Current ENL Date: Reenl/071017    Current ENL Term: 3 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	0 Yrs, 4 Mos, 28 Days ?????
Total Service:  		3 Yrs, 6 Mos, 21 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	RA 040824-071016/HD
Highest Grade: E-4		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 63B10 Wheeled Vehicle Mech   GT: 103   EDU: GED Cert   Overseas: Korea, Southwest Asia    Combat: Iraq (051208-061203)
Decorations/Awards: AAM, GCMDL, NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ICMDL, NCOPDR, ASR, OSR (2), 

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 28 February 2008, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense; in that he wrongfully used cocaine between (071109-071113) and on different occasions, failed to go to his appointed place of duty, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  He was advised of his rights.  On 3 March 2008, the applicant consulted with 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.  On 5 March 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. 

       b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
       Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 14 of this regulation 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 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 service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. 
       
       The analyst noted the applicant's issue that he is requesting an upgrade of his discharge because he was a very good Soldier while serving his country.  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.  
       
       The applicant contends that he believes his commander was biased and did not give him a fair chance at completing his military service, and also to advance even through a demotion.  The analyst found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command.  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 applicant further contends that this type of discharge holds him back from the Post 9/11 GI Bill.  He served his country for the purpose of getting his college degree.  Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or 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.
       
       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: 18 March 2011         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: None

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 24 June 2010.

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 AR20100018167
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