RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 June 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080003248 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. Director Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Chairperson Member Member 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 bad conduct discharge (BCD) be upgraded to an honorable discharge. 2. The applicant states that he has served his punishment and wishes to have his discharge upgraded to an honorable discharge. 3. The applicant provides a two-page statement explaining the circumstances in his case; four unauthenticated third-party statements and three authenticated third-party statements of support; a criminal records check from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; a copy of his civilian and military transcripts; copies of his marriage license and his children’s birth certificates; copies of his awards of the Air Assault Badge and Army Commendation Medal; and copies of various certificates of course completion for military training courses. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant’s records, though somewhat incomplete, show that he was born on 4 October 1979. He enlisted in the Regular Army in the pay grade of E-3 in St. Louis, Missouri on 25 March 2002 for a period of 4 years, training as a unit supply specialist, a cash enlistment bonus and participation in the student loan repayment program. 2. He completed his training and was transferred to Fort Campbell, Kentucky for duty as a supply clerk. He was advanced to the pay grade of E-4 on 1 October 2003. 3. His records also show that on 29 January 2004, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for meritorious service while serving in the pay grade of E-4, as a supply clerk in Iraq during the period of 19 March 2003 to 2 February 2004. 4. On 25 February 2005, the applicant was convicted by a General Court-Martial, pursuant to his plea, of stealing five DELL Laptop computers on or about 18 November 2004. He was sentenced to confinement for 9 months and a BCD. He was placed on excess leave on 26 September 2005. 5. On 24 August 2005, the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the findings and sentence as approved by the convening authority. 6. On 5 January 2006, General Court-Martial Order Number 6 was published by Headquarters, United States Army Armor Center and Fort Knox, which indicated that the applicant’s sentence had been finally affirmed and directed that his BCD be executed. 7. On 10 March 2006, he was discharged pursuant to a duly reviewed and affirmed court-martial conviction. He had served 3 years, 4 months, and 12 days of total active service and had approximately 215 days of lost time due to confinement. 8. Title 10, United States Code, section 1552, the authority under which this Board acts, provides, in pertinent part, that the Board is not empowered to set aside a conviction. Rather it is only empowered to change the severity of the sentence imposed in the court-martial process and then only if clemency is determined to be appropriate. Clemency is an act of mercy, or instance of leniency, to moderate the severity of the punishment imposed. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Trial by court-martial was warranted by the gravity of the offenses charged. Conviction and discharge were effected in accordance with applicable law and regulations, and the discharge appropriately characterizes the misconduct for which the applicant was convicted. 2. The type of discharge directed and the reasons therefore appear to be appropriate considering the available facts of the case. 3. The applicant’s contentions and supporting documents have been noted. However, they are not sufficiently mitigating to warrant relief when compared to the seriousness of his offense. 4. The applicant violated the trust placed in him as a Soldier and a custodian of military supplies by stealing government property with the intent to sell them for funds for his own use rather than seek assistance of the chain of command for financial assistance. Accordingly, his service does not rise to the level of a discharge under honorable conditions. 5. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING __XXX __ __XXX__ __XXX__ 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. ___ XXX ___ CHAIRPERSON ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080003248 4 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET, 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508