MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:             6 August 2002                 
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR2002073308

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Ms. Paula Mokulis		Member	
	Mr. Donald P. Hupman, Jr.		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS: Upgrade of his under other than honorable conditions discharge (UOTHC) to fully honorable.

APPLICANT STATES: That he had served honorably for 2 ½ years.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's available military records show:

On 11 May 1971, the applicant enlisted in the Army.  He completed his required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 51N (Water Supply Specialist).  He was advanced to pay grade E-4.

On 19 July 1972, he was administered non-judicial punishment (NJP) under Article 15, Uniform Code of Military Justice for being absent without leave (AWOL) for the period 1 June to 13 July 1972.  His punishment included a reduction to pay grade E-3 and forfeiture of $100 pay per month for 2 months.

On 22 December 1972, he was administered NJP for being AWOL for the period 27 November to 7 December 1972.  His punishment included a reduction to pay grade E-2 (suspended for 90 days) and forfeiture of $150 pay.

On 12 November 1974, a physical examination cleared the applicant for separation.

On 13 November 1974, after his apprehension, the unit commander preferred court-martial charges against him for being absent without leave for the period  13 October 1973 to 6 November 1974.

On 14 November 1974, after consulting with legal counsel, the applicant voluntarily submitted a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10.  He acknowledged that he could receive a bad conduct or dishonorable discharge; that he was guilty of the charges against him; that he had consulted with legal counsel; and that he had no desire to perform further military service.

On 20 November 1974, the appropriate separation authority approved his request, directed his reduction to pay grade E-1 and directed an Undesirable Discharge Certificate be issued.

On 25 November 1974, the applicant was discharged, in pay grade E-1, with a discharge under other than honorable conditions, under the above-cited regulation.  His records indicate he had 2 years, 7 months and 10 days of creditable service and 441 days of lost time.

Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), chapter 10 (Discharge for the Good of the Service), then in effect, set forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 10 provided, in pertinent part, that a member who had committed an offense or offenses for which the authorized punishment included a punitive discharge could at any time after the charges had been preferred, submit a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  At the time of the applicant’s separation, the regulation provided for the issuance of an Undesirable Discharge Certificate.

Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), paragraph 3-7 provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor.  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 inappropriate.

DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The applicant chose to request an administrative discharge rather than risk the consequences of a court-martial.  Although he may now feel that he made the wrong choice, he should not be allowed to change his mind at this late date.

2.  The applicant’s voluntary request for separation under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10, for the good of the service to avoid trial by court-martial, was administratively correct and in conformance with applicable regulations.  There is no indication that the request was made under coercion or duress.

3.  The type of discharge directed and the reasons therefore were appropriate considering all the facts of the case.

4.  The Board notes is contention of having served honorably for 2 ½ years; however, his AWOL started 1 year after his enlistment, and his overall service does not mitigate his AWOL and UOTHC.

5.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________ GRANT

________  ________  ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING

_LLS____  __PM__  __DPH___  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002073308	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020806	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	144	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.