Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2011/10/04	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states "15 years ago I was an arrogant teenager who thought I could take on the world. 15 years later I want to enter the law enforcement field and I would like to have the status of my discharge changed so that I can change careers. In the last 15 years I have learned to respect authority figures and have not ever been in trouble with the law. I realize that my behavior 15 years ago was a disgrace and wish I would have made some different decisions. However I have now been married for 13 years and have two beautiful daughters and want to make a career change to law enforcement."

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: 961212
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 970103   Chapter: 11       AR: 635-200
Reason: Entry Level Performance and Conduct	   RE:     SPD: JGA   Unit/Location: ????? 

Time Lost: AWOL x1 (961208-961208) for 1 day; apprehended.  

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 961126, failed to obey an order or SOP by using the phone without authorization (undated), 14 days of restriction and extra duty (Summarized).

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

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  20
Current ENL Date: 961010    Current ENL Term: 3 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	0 Yrs, 2  Mos, 23  Days ?????
Total Service:  		0 Yrs, 2  Mos, 23  Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E-1		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 111   EDU: HS GED   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None

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 12 December 1996, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 11, AR 635-200, by reason of entry level performance and conduct for disciplinary problems, failure to adapt to military life, and went AWOL twice, with an uncharacterized discharge.  He was advised of his rights.  
       
       The applicant waived his right to consult 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 Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts.   
       
       On 17 December 1996, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s separation from the Army with an uncharacterized discharge.

       b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
       Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 11, of this regulation, in pertinent part, states that a member may be separated for unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or both, while in an entry level status.  This provision of the regulation applies to Soldiers who can not meet the minimum standards for training, have demonstrated that they are not qualified for retention because they can not adapt socially or emotionally to military life or because they lack the aptitude, ability, motivation or self discipline for military service, or they have demonstrated characteristics not compatible with satisfactory continued military service.  For separation under this Chapter the regulation requires an uncharacterized discharge.

       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 separation authority approved the applicant's discharge as entry-level status, with the description of service as uncharacterized.  Army Regulation 635-200 provides in pertinent part, that a Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty.  The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period.  Soldiers who are found to lack the necessary motivation, adaptability, self-discipline, ability, or attitude to become productive Soldiers may be expeditiously separated while in entry-level status.  Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status.  A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions.  
       
       The analyst noted the applicant's issue that he was an arrogant teenager who thought he could take on the world and 15 years later, he wants to enter the law enforcement field and would like to have the status of his discharge changed so that he can change careers.  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.  Additionally, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 
       
       The applicant further request that his narrative reason for separation be changed.  The narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives.  The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 11, AR 635-200.  The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Entry Level Performance and Conduct)", the separation code is "JGA", and the reentry code is "RE 3".  Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28, separation code, entered in block 26, and RE Code, entered in block 27 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes.  The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized.  There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation.  
       
       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: 2 May 2012         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: None

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: Online application dated 4 October 2011.

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 AR20110020421
______________________________________________________________________________


Page 1 of 3 pages