IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 23 September 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080012346 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests that his general discharge be upgraded to an honorable discharge. 2. The applicant states that he was an excellent Soldier and that he believed that he was under unfair leadership. He states that he was a sharpshooter and that he obtained a “PT” badge before he got to Fort Carson. He states that he is a model citizen and that he wants an education under the GI Bill. 3. The applicant provides no additional documentation in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. On 7 January 2003, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army in Atlanta, Georgia, in the pay grade of E-2. He successfully completed his training as a food service specialist. 2. The applicant’s records show that he was counseled on ten separate occasions between 29 June 2004 and 25 January 2005, for various reasons to include a lack of effort on his job performance, work ethics, lack of motivation; being absent without leave, failure to repair; failure to be at his appointed place of duty, and for failing the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). He was also counseled for failure to report for duty; insubordinate conduct towards a warrant officer, noncommissioned officer or petty officer; failure to obey an order or regulation; making false official statements; being drunk on duty; testing positive for cocaine; and for pending assault charges. Each time that he was counseled the applicant was told that if his conduct continued, action may be initiated to involuntarily separate him from the service under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 5, chapter 11, chapter 13 or chapter 14. He was also told that if he was involuntarily separated he could receive an honorable, a general under honorable condition or an under other than honorable conditions discharge. 3. On 4 April 2005, the applicant was notified that he was being recommended for discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 14-12b, based on a pattern of misconduct. His commander cited previous overindulgence in intoxicating liquor or drugs; incapacitation for proper performance of his duties; pending assault charges; failing to obey a direct order or regulation; failure to report to his place of duty on several occasions; missing formation on several occasions; and failing the APFT as the basis for the recommendation for discharge. 4. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification on 4 April 2005, waiving his right to consult with counsel and to submit a statement in his own behalf. 5. The appropriate authority approved the recommendation for discharge on 8 April 2005 and he directed the issuance of a general discharge. Accordingly, on 27 April 2005, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 14-12b, based on a pattern of misconduct. He had completed 2 years, 3 months and 21 days of net active service and he was furnished a discharge under honorable conditions (general). 6. On 3 October 2006, the applicant petitioned the Army Discharge Review Board (ADRB) for an upgrade of his discharge to honorable. The ADRB determined that his discharge was proper and his application was denied on 7 November 2007. 7. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for misconduct. Specific categories include minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, commission of a serious offense, convictions by civil authorities, desertion or absence without leave. Action will be taken to separate a member for misconduct when it is clearly established that rehabilitation is impracticable or is unlikely to succeed. A discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's administrative separation was accomplished in compliance with applicable regulations with no indication of procedural errors, which would tend to jeopardize his rights. 2. The type of discharge directed and the reasons therefore were appropriate considering all the facts of the case. 3. The applicant's contentions have been noted. However, his contention that he was an excellent Soldier is not supported by the evidence of record. His records show that he was counseled on ten separate occasions as a result of various acts of misconduct. The fact that he has a desire to further his education through the use of the Montgomery GI Bill is not a basis for upgrading his discharge. As previously stated, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate. 4. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show 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. 5. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____x___ ___x____ ____x___ 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. _______ _ x_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080012346 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080012346 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1