Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/08/19 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The Applicant states, "I am applying for an upgrade for my Army discharge for the following reasons. Prior to my discharging offense, I had never had any other problems in the service. I also believe that my unit failed me, this is because I was never enrolled in the Army Substance Abuse program. Nor, was I given a chance to compensate for my only mistake of failing one urine analysis. Many Soldiers have been given second chances and have been successful in the Army; I feel I also deserve a second chance To be successful in life. Because my discharge states "Drug Abuse" next to the reason of discharge, it has prohibited me from being able to get a job in order to support my family. I was committed to the Army before and after my discharge and fought as hard as I could to stay in. I have no other offenses or any other negative actions on my record. I have learned greatly from my life altering mistake. Thank you for taking the time to review my record". 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: 051118 Discharge Received: Date: 051221 Chapter: 14-12C(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: F Co, 710th BSB, Ft Drum, NY Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 050926, wrongfully use marijuana (050711-050809), forfeiture of $728, extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 031104 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 01Mos, 18Days ????? Total Service: 2 Yrs, 01Mos, 18Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92F10/ Petroleum Supply SP GT: 115 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR, GWOTSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Ft. Leavenworth, KS Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 18 November 2005, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—for having received a Field Grade Article 15 on (050926) for wrongful use of marijuana, with a general under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant declined consultation with legal counsel, 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. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a general under honorable conditions discharge. On 9 December 2005, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general under honorable conditions and unless otherwise disqualified, be transferred to the IRR. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 of this regulation establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for misconduct. Specific categories include minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, and commission of a serious offense, to include abuse of illegal drugs, convictions by civil authorities and desertion or absence without leave. Action will be taken to separate a member for misconduct when it is clearly established that rehabilitation is impractical or unlikely to succeed. Army policy states that an under other than honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate, however, a general under honorable conditions or an honorable discharge may be granted. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable. The applicant, by violating the Army's policy not to possess or use illegal drugs, compromised the trust and confidence placed in a soldier. The applicant, as a soldier, had the duty to support and abide by the Army's drug policies. By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and diminished the quality of service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. Furthermore, at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “4.” An RE code of “4” cannot be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment. Therefore, the analyst determined the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 21 July 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 discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 0 No change 5 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 AR20080008230 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages