Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2011/10/03	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that in order for him to receive veterans benefits he would like to have his discharge upgraded.  He is currently suffering from seizures (i.e., memory loss) making it difficult for him to find and keep long term jobs.  He further states that he was young and naïve and feels that he deserves a general discharge.

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: 060515
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 060601   Chapter: 10       AR: 635-200
Reason: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial	   RE:     SPD: KFS   Unit/Location: ????? 

Time Lost: AWOL x 4 (060127-060130) for 4 days, returned to his unit; AWOL (060208-060221) for 14 days, returned to his unit; AWOL (060303-060329) for 27 days, returned to his unit; AWOL (060411-060505) for 25 days, returned to his unit.  Total time lost was 70 days.

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 050122, wrongfully used marijuana between (250509-051025), reduction to Private (E-1), forfeiture of $617.00 pay per month, extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG)

060329, failed to go to his appointed place of duty (060106), wrongfully used marijuana between (051217-060117), dereliction of duty; in that he willfully failed to arrive at his scheduled appointment for ASAP, as it was his duty to do so (060123), dereliction of duty; in that he willfully failed to schedule an appointment for the dental clinic (060124), dereliction of duty; in that he willfully failed to return back to work or contact his chain of command (060124), failed to go to his appointed place of duty (060125), extra duty and restriction for 45 days, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (060925), (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: 030319    Current ENL Term: 3 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	3 Yrs, 0  Mos, 3  Days ?????
Total Service:  		3 Yrs, 0 Mos, 3  Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E-4		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 92F10 Petroleum Supply Spec   GT: 111   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Southwest Asia, Korea (030828-040803)   Combat: Kuwait & Iraq (040808-050731)
Decorations/Awards: AAM, GCMDL, NDSM, ICMDL, GWOTSM, KDSM, ASR, CAB

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 15 May 2006, the applicant was charged with AWOL x 4 from (060127-060130), (060208-060221), (060303-060329), (060411-060505).  On 17 May 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 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 commander's recommended approval of an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  On 22 May 2006, the separation authority approved the discharge 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 [and documents] submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The evidence of record shows 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 it prior to requesting discharge.  
       
       The analyst noted the applicant's issue that in order for him to receive veterans benefits he would like to have his discharge upgraded.  He is currently suffering from seizures (i.e., memory loss) making it difficult for him to find and keep long term jobs.  The analyst noted the applicant’s issue about his service connected disability; as outlined in the documents with his application.  However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that this medical condition and the fact that he was not able to perform his duties, with either medical limitation or medication did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted.
       
       Further, 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.  The Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities.  
       
       The applicant further contends that he was young and naïve and feels that he deserves a general discharge.  The analyst found that the applicant met entrance qualification standards to include age.  The analyst further found no evidence that the applicant was any less mature than other soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service.
       
       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: 4 April 2012         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: None

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 20 September 2011, self authored statement undated, copies of medical records with various dates, 

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						
Board Vote:
Character - Change 0    No change 5
Reason -     Change 0    No change 5
(Board member names available upon request)

X.  Board Action Directed
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

XI.  Certification Signature
Approval Authority:



EDGAR J. YANGER
Colonel, U.S. Army
President, Army Discharge Review Board



BONITA E. TROTMAN
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
Secretary Recorder
?????



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 AR20110020388
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