Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 081020 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See enclosed DD Form 293 and supporting documention 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: Undated Discharge Received: Date: 051213 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Pattern of Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: E Co., 1/67th Armor, 2nd Bde, 4th Inf Div, Fort Hood, TX Time Lost: AWOL 23 days (051109-051202), mode of return/circumstances of lost time not in the file. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): Record indicates the Applicant received a Field Grade Article 15 for a positive urinalysis test conducted on 17 November 2004 and was caught in possession of marijuana on 21 July 2004 (no further information in the file). Record indicates the Applicant tested positive in February 2005 and received another Field Grade Article 15 (no further information in the file). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 030724 Current ENL Term: 04 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 03 Mos, 26 Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 03 Mos, 26 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 21B Cbt Engr GT: 118 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (dates not in file) Decorations/Awards: AAM (2), NDSM, ASR, GWOTSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Omaha, NE Post Service Accomplishments: Applicant provided college transcript documentation and 2 letters of recommendation. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 4 February 2005, the unit commander notified the Applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct, specifically, being caught in possession of marijuana on 21 July 2004 and then had a positive drug test on 17 November 2004, therefore receiving two Field Grade Article 15's, with an under other than honorable conditions discharge. On 7 February 2005, the Applicant was advised of his rights, consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, voluntarily waived consideration of his case by an Administrative Separation Board contingent upon him receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than general, under honorable conditions and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. On 11 March 2005, the separation authority disapproved the conditional waiver request. Subsequently, the Applicant was notified to appear before an administrative board and was advised of his rights. On 25 May 2005, the administrative board convened. The Applicant appeared with counsel. The board recommended that the Applicant be discharged with issuance of a character of service of under other than honorable conditions. On 19 August 2005, the separation authority approved the recommendation of the separation board and directed that the Applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. 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 a careful review of all the Applicant’s available military records, and the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found several mitigating factors that would merit a partial upgrade of the Applicant's characterization of service to general, under honorable conditions. The analyst does not condone the Applicant’s misconduct; however, the evidence in this case supports a conclusion that the characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is inequitable. The analyst found that the length of the applicant's service to include the former Soldier’s combat service, mitigated the discrediting entries in his service record. Accordingly, the analyst recommends that the Applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to general, under honorable conditions. However, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge was fully supported by the record and therefore, remains both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 5 August 2009 Location: Washington, D.C. 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 characterization of service was too harsh, and as a result it is inequitable. The Board determined that the overall length and quality of the Applicant’s service, to include his combat service, mitigated the discrediting entries in his service record. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to general, under honorable conditions. 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 3 No change 2 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: No Change Other: No Change RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No Change ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080016448 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages