RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            26 FEBRUARY 2004                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003092160

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

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		Member	
	Ms. Mae M. Bullock		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).

THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:  

1.  The applicant requests that his discharge under other than honorable conditions be upgraded to honorable.

2.  The applicant states that he was young and foolish and using alcohol at the time, and was bored with the military.  He requested discharge just to get out.  He is now a family man and wants his daughter to know that he was honorably discharged.

3.  The applicant provides a letter of support from the County Manager of Avery County in North Carolina, the Clerk of the Avery County Superior Court, the former sheriff of Avery County, his mother, and a minister, all of whom stated that the applicant is a decent, law-abiding family man, who leads a responsible and productive life.  The applicant also provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation).

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Army for three years on 13 May 1973, completed training as an infantryman, and in October 1973 was assigned to an infantry company in Germany.  On 1 March 1974 he was promoted to pay grade E-4.

2.  The applicant's personnel qualification record shows that he was AWOL (absent without leave) from 1 September 1974 through 10 March 1975.  The applicant surrendered to military authorities and was returned to military control at Fort Jackson, South Carolina on 11 March 1975.

3.  On 13 March 1975 court-martial charges were preferred against the applicant. On 20 March 1975 the applicant consulted with counsel and voluntarily requested discharge for the good of the service under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 10.  He stated that he was making his request of his own free will and had not been subjected to any coercion whatsoever.  He stated that he understood that he was guilty of the charge against him which authorized the imposition of a bad conduct or a dishonorable discharge.  He stated that under no circumstances did he desire further rehabilitation, and that he had no desire to perform further military service.  He stated that he understood the nature and consequences of the undesirable discharge that he might receive.  He made a statement to the effect that he had a lot of reasons to leave the Army, one of which was drugs, which is the reason that he went AWOL.  He also stated that he was having trouble at home and needed to be there to help. 

4.  The applicant's commanding officer recommended that the applicant's request be approved and that he be issued an Undesirable Discharge Certificate.  He stated that he had personally interviewed the applicant, and that the applicant stated that his AWOL was caused by drugs and his inability to adjust to the Army. He stated that the applicant indicated that he had no further interest in the Army, but only wanted to return to his family.   

5.  On 3 April 1975 the separation authority approved the applicant's request and directed that he be issued an Undesirable Discharge Certificate.  The applicant was discharged on 2 May 1975.  He had 1 year, 8 months, and 10 days of service, and 191 days of lost time.   

6.  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 at any time after the charges have been preferred, submit a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial.  A discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate. However, at the time of the applicant's separation the regulation provided for the issuance of an undesirable discharge.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s voluntary request for separation 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.  The character of the discharge is commensurate with the applicant's overall record of military service.
  
2.  The applicant's request for a chapter 10 discharge, even after appropriate and proper consultation with a military lawyer, tends to show he wished to avoid the court-martial and the punitive discharge that he might have received.

3.  The applicant's contention that he was young and immature at the time is not sufficiently mitigating to warrant relief, nor is his good post-service conduct, as reflected in the statements of support he submits with his request.  Those factors, individually or in sum, are not sufficient to warrant the relief requested.  To do so would be a disservice to those Soldiers who served honorably during their period of service.  There is no doubt to be resolved in favor of the applicant.  His request is not granted.    

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__AAO __  __JTM __  __MMB_____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.

		__Arthur A. Omartian___
		      CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003092160	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20040226	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.