2.  The applicant requests award of the Humanitarian Service Medal (HSM) for relief operations during Hurricane Hugo.  He states he is trying to upgrade his general under honorable conditions discharge so he can go to school.

3.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 October 1986.  He completed basic training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 63B (Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic).

4.  On 14 March 1988, the applicant accepted non-judicial punishment (NJP) under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) for wrongfully having a blood alcohol level of .86 while on duty.

5.  On 5 June 1989, the applicant was enrolled in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program (ADAPCP).

6.  On 1 December 1989, the applicant received a certificate of appreciation of participating in Hurricane Hugo disaster relief operations.

7.  On 18 December 1989, the applicant accepted NJP under Article 15, UCMJ for being absent from his place of duty and disobeying a lawful order.

8.  On 9 April 1990, the applicant was declared a rehabilitative failure.  

9.  The applicant completed a separation physical and was found qualified for separation.

10.  On 7 May 1990, the applicant’s commander initiated separation action under Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 9, as an alcohol abuse rehabilitative failure based upon his continued unacceptable duty performance and conduct as related to alcohol abuse and his refusal to participate in the rehabilitative program.  A personal data summary sheet noted the applicant had been counseled twice by the command and 24 times by ADAPCP personnel for abuse of alcohol.  On 22 May 1990, the ADAPCP Clinical Director concurred.  

11.  The applicant acknowledged notification.  He submitted a statement, wherein he stated there was a misunderstanding.  He was taking out trash, beer cans were in the trash can, and that is why he smelled of alcohol.  He requested a blood alcohol test but was not given one.  The last incident, several months earlier, was also a misunderstanding.

12.  On 12 June 1990, the appropriate authority approved the recommendation and directed he be given a general discharge under honorable conditions.

13.  On 29 June 1990, he was discharged, with a general under honorable conditions discharge, in pay grade E-3, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 9.  He had completed 3 years, 8 months and 22 days of creditable active service and had no lost time.

14.  Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 9 provides for the discharge of members based on alcohol or other drug abuse such as the illegal, wrongful or improper use of any controlled substance, alcohol or other drug when the soldier is enrolled in ADAPCP and the commander, in consultation with the rehabilitation team, determines that further rehabilitation efforts are not practical, rendering the soldier a rehabilitative failure.  

15.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 established the Hurricane Hugo disaster relief operations period for award of the HSM as 18 September - 31 October 1989.  The HSM is awarded to eligible soldiers who provide direct hands-on assistance in operations such as hurricane relief.

16.  The Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) denied the applicant’s request for an upgraded discharge on 27 October 1997.

CONCLUSIONS:  

1.  The applicant’s administrative separation was accomplished in accordance with applicable laws and regulations in effect at the time of his separation.  The characterization of his discharge as general under honorable conditions was and is still appropriate considering his prior disciplinary record.

2.  The certificate of appreciation is sufficient evidence to show the applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the HSM for Hurricane Hugo.  His grade and military occupational specialty lead this Board to believe he did provide hands-on relief during this operation.  This factor, however, does not warrant an upgrade of his discharge characterization.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be proper to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:  

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the applicant was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for the Hurricane Hugo disaster relief operation.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                              
					 	CHAIRPERSON