IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 October 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110005491 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 reconsideration of his previously denied request that his general (under honorable conditions) discharge be upgraded to honorable. 2. The applicant states his military records which show he was in a major motorcycle accident that has left him disabled for the rest of his life were not taken into account. 3. The applicant provides a self-authored statement, previous Board decision, and extracts of his military medical records. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20100018957, on 16 February 2011. 2. The applicant provides a self-authored statement and medical record extracts which show the treatment he received after his motorcycle accident. These records were not previously reviewed by the ABCMR. Therefore, they are considered new evidence and as such warrant reconsideration by the Board. 3. Records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 11 April 1979 and upon completion of training, he was awarded military occupational specialty 15E (Pershing Missile Crewman). 4. He received nonjudicial punishment under the provisions of Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for the following offenses: * failure to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed on 17 August 1983 * absent without leave (AWOL) on three separate occasions, during the period 7 October to 7 November 1983, 9 November to 14 November 1983, and 18 November to 29 November 1983 5. Records show that, on 17 June 1983, the applicant was involved in a motorcycle accident in which he suffered no head injury or loss of consciousness. His injuries were a torn left anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, multiple contusions, abrasions, and right renal contusion. 6. There is no evidence in the available records which show that the applicant's indiscipline was incurred as a result of his accident. 7. On 29 November 1983, the applicant was notified of the initiation of separation action under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations - Enlisted Personnel), chapter 14, paragraph 14-12, for repeated AWOLs and a demonstrated lack of self-discipline. The applicant was also advised of his rights. 8. On 29 November 1983 and after consulting counsel, the applicant provided statements acknowledging his misconduct and requested that he be given a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. 9. On 12 December 1983, the separation authority approved the recommendation for discharge and directed the applicant's discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 14, paragraph 14-12, based on a pattern of misconduct. The separation authority directed the issuance of a general (under honorable conditions) discharge and that he not be transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve of the U.S. Army Reserve. 10. On 16 December 1983, the applicant was discharged accordingly. The DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) confirms he was discharged with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. He completed 4 years, 7 months, and 25 days of active service with 17 days of lost time. 11. There is no evidence that he applied to the Army Discharge Review Board for an upgrade of his discharge. 12. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for misconduct. Specific categories included minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, commission of a serious offense, and convictions by civil authorities. 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 appropriate for a Soldier discharged under this chapter. 13. Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7a, provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law. 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 clearly inappropriate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's request for an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge was carefully considered and determined to lack merit. 2. Although the applicant provided medical treatment records showing he was involved in a motorcycle accident, these records do not show he suffered a head injury or loss of consciousness. His injury and treatment do not show a direct causal affect to his indiscipline. Further, at the time of his separation, he provided a statement requesting a general (under honorable conditions) discharge and did not indicate his motorcycle accident or injuries sustained were a mitigating factor for his indiscipline. 3. The evidence shows he was properly and equitably discharged in accordance with the regulations in effect at the time. There is no evidence of procedural errors which would have jeopardized his rights. All requirements of law and regulation were met and his rights were fully protected throughout the separation process, Further, his discharge accurately reflects his overall record of service. 4. Based on his record of indiscipline, he is not entitled to an upgrade of his discharge. 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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20100018957, dated 16 February 2011. _______ _ 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) AR20110005491 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110005491 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1