Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/03/31 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents submitted by the Applicant. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 071121 Discharge Received: Date: 080320 Chapter: 5-8 AR: 635-200 Reason: Parenthood RE: SPD: JDG Unit/Location: 80th MCT, 49th MCT Ft Hood, TX Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 060831 Current ENL Term: 3 Years ? Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 06Mos, 19Days ????? Total Service: 4 Yrs, 1Mos, 23Days Includes 1 yr, 3 days of inactive service Previous Discharges: RA 050102-060119/HD Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 88N10/Traffic Management Coordinator GT: 91 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: IRAQ Combat: Iraq (070703-080123) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AGCM, ADSM, NDSM, GWOTSM, GWOTEM, ICM, ASR, OSR, AFRM W/M Device, CAB V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 21 November 2007 the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5-8, AR 635-200, by reason of failure to maintain an adequate family care plan with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant waived his right to consult with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. On 11 December 2007, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-8 provides that a soldier may be separated when parental obligations interfere with fulfillment of military responsibilities. Specific reasons for separation because of parenthood include inability to perform prescribed duties satisfactorily, repeated absenteeism, late for work, inability to participate in field training exercises or perform special duties such as CQ and Staff Duty NCO, and non-availability for worldwide assignment or deployment according to the needs of the Army. Unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a soldier being separated for the convenience of the government will be awarded a character of service of honorable, general under honorable conditions or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level status. If a discharge less than an honorable characterization is recommended, the soldier must be notified as to the specific factors that warrant such a characterization. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records for the period of enlistment under review and the issues and documents he submitted, the analyst determined that the characterization of service was improper. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-1b, states that no Soldier will be awarded a character of service under honorable conditions under this chapter unless the Soldier is notified of the specific factors in his service record that warrants such a characterization using the notification procedure. In view of the aforementioned, the analyst recommends to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 6 February 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the applicant was not properly notified as to the reasons why he would not get an honorable discharge as specified in paragraph 5-1b, AR 635-200. In view of the foregoing, the Board determined that the characterization of service is improper. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant full relief in the form of an upgrade of characterization of service to honorable. However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 5 No change 0 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080004813 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 2 pages