IN THE CASE OF:  	Mr. 

      BOARD DATE:  	24 April 2013

      CASE NUMBER:  	AR20120022380
___________________________________________________________________________

Board Determination and Directed Action

After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review, and considering the Discussion and Recommendation which follows, the Board determined the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief.






      
      
      Presiding Officer
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Department of the Army Discharge Review Board in this case.

THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST AND STATEMENT:

1.  The applicant requests an upgrade of his discharge from under other than honorable conditions to general, under honorable conditions.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, his chain of command recommended a general, under honorable conditions discharge and the separation approving authority issued an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  He earned an Iraqi Campaign Medal with campaign Star, and an Army Good Conduct Medal.

DISCHARGE UNDER REVIEW INFORMATION:

a. Application Receipt Date:		3 December 2012
b. Discharge Received:		Under Other Than Honorable Conditions
c. Date of Discharge:			17 June 2009
d. Reason/Authority/SPD/RE Code:	In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial/AR-635-200/       						Chapter 10/KFS/RE-4
e. Unit of assignment:			404th  Aviation Support Bn (Rear Detachment), 						Fort Hood, TX 
f. Current Enlistment Date/Term:	26 January 2005, 3 years, 26 weeks
g. Current Enlistment Service:	3 years, 3 months, 21 days
h. Total Service:			3 years, 3 months, 21 days
i. Time Lost:				395 days
j. Previous Discharges:		None
k. Highest Grade Achieved:		E-3
l. Military Occupational Specialty:	63B10 Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic
m. GT Score:				101
n. Education:				HS Graduate
o. Overseas Service:			Southwest Asia
p. Combat Service:			Iraq (051116-061114)
q. Decorations/Awards:		AGCM, NDSM, ICM-W/CS, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR
r. Administrative Separation Board: 	No
s. Performance Ratings:		None
t. Counseling Statements:		None
u. Prior Board Review:			No

SUMMARY OF SERVICE:		
	
The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army 26 January 2005, for a period of 3 years, 26 weeks.  He was 19 years old at the time of entry and a high school graduate.  He was serving at Fort Hood, TX, when his discharge was initiated.  His record also shows that he served a combat tour and earned several awards including an AGCM.




SEPARATION FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES:

1.  The evidence of record contains a DD Form 458, Charge Sheet which indicates that on     25 March 2009, the applicant was charged with absenting himself from his unit (AWOL) (080129-090208).

2.  On 16 April 2009, 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.  The applicant indicated he understood 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 on his own behalf.  The applicant’s chain of command recommended approval of a general, under honorable conditions discharge.  

3.  On 5 June 2009, the separation authority approved the Chapter 10 request and directed the discharge with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions.  The applicant was reduced to the lowest enlisted rank. 

4.  The applicant was discharged from the Army on 17 June 2009, with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions under the provisions of Chapter 10,             AR 635-200, by reason of in lieu of trial by court-martial, a Separation Program Designator code (SPD) of KFS and an RE code of 4.

5.  The applicant's record shows he was AWOL during the period 29 January 2008 through    11 February 2009, for 379 days, until he was apprehended.   The applicant was confined by civil authorities during the period 17 February 2009 through 4 March 2009, for 16 days.

EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM THE APPLICANT'S RECORD:

The record does not contain any negative counseling’s or actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT:

The applicant provided a DD Form 293, dated 19 November 2012; and a DD Form 214 dated, 17 June 2009. 

POST-SERVICE ACTIVITY: 

None were provided with application.





REGULATORY AUTHORITY:

1.  Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 10 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.  

2.  Paragraph 3-7a provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law.  The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the member's service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate.

3.  Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7b, provides that a general discharge is a separation from the Army under honorable conditions.  When authorized, it is issued to a Soldier whose military record is satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge.  A characterization of under honorable conditions may be issued only when the reason for the Soldier’s separation specifically allows such characterization.

4.  Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214.  It identifies the SPD code of "KFS" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, in lieu of trial by court-martial.

5.  The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "KFS" will be assigned an RE Code of 4.

DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The applicant’s request for an upgrade of his characterization of service was carefully considered.  

2.  The evidence of record confirms the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge.  It also shows that after consulting with defense counsel, the applicant voluntarily requested discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.  

3.  The under other than honorable conditions discharge received by the applicant was normal and appropriate under the regulatory guidance.  His record documents he served a tour in combat, but did not show any acts of significant achievement or valor and did not support the issuance of a general discharge by the separation authority and it does not support an upgrade a general discharge at this late date.  

4.  The applicant contends his chain of command recommended a general, under honorable conditions discharge and the separation approving authority issued an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  However, AR 635-200, paragraph 10-8, states that a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate.  Also, the separation authority may direct a general discharge if such is merited by the Soldier’s overall record during the current enlistment.

5.  Further, the record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process.   The character of the applicant’s discharge is commensurate with his overall service record. 
 
6.  The applicant contends he earned an ICM-W/CS and an AGCM.  The applicant’s service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered.  However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently mitigating to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge under review.     

7.  The records show the proper discharge and separation authority procedures were followed in this case.  

8.  Therefore, the reason for discharge and the characterization of service being both proper and equitable, recommend the Board deny relief.  





















SUMMARY OF ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING:

Type of Hearing:  Records Review     Date:  24 April 2013      Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  NA 

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

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

Board Action Directed:
Issue a new DD Form 214:		No
Change Characterization to:	No Change
Change Reason to:			No Change
Change Authority for Separation:	N/A
Change RE Code to:		N/A
Grade Restoration to:		N/A
Other:					N/A


















Legend:
AMHRR - Army Military Human Resource Record	FG - Field Grade	IADT – Initial Active Duty Training	 	RE - Reentry
AWOL - Absent Without Leave	GD - General Discharge	NA - Not applicable	SCM- Summary Court Martial
BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge	HS - High School	NIF - Not in File	SPCM - Special Court Martial
CG - Company Grade Article 15	HD - Honorable Discharge	OAD - Ordered to Active Duty	UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge  
CID - Criminal investigation Department	MP – Military Police	OMPF - Official Military Personnel File	UOTHC - Under Other Than                           			               Honorable Condition


ADRB Case Report and Directive (cont)		AR20120022380



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ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (ADRB)

CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE



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