Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/05/20 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states that he has changed his ways of thinking and living. He is interested in rejoining the armed services as this will help him in the future. 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: 070709 Discharge Received: Date: 070815 Chapter: 14-12c(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: B Trp, 1-33 Cavalry, Fort Campbell, KY Time Lost: 25 days, military confinement (070531-070624). Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070116, wrongful use of marijuana on two occasions (061025-061102 and 060925-061025), reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $636 for two months, 45 days of extra duty and restriction (FG). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070531, Summary Court Martial, failure to report (070420), wrongful use of marijuana (070302-070402), wrongful use of cocaine (070329-070402), forfeiture of $867, confinement for 30 days. Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 041104 Current ENL Term: 3 Years 23 weeks, enlisted with a moral waiver. Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 09Mos, 12Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 09Mos, 12Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 19D10/Cavalry Scout GT: 97 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (dates not in file) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ICM, ASR, ASR, OSR, CAB V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Waldron, AR Post Service Accomplishments: None listed. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 9 July 2007, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—commission of a serious offense for wrongful use of marijuana on two occasions (060925-061025 and 070302-070402), for wrongful use of cocaine (070329-070402), and failure to report (070420), with an under other than honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, unconditionally waived his right to an administrative separation board, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commanders reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an under other than honorable conditions discharge. On 8 August 2007, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts 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 carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and the issue 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. 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. Furthermore, the analyst noted that a DD Form 2624 (Specimen Custody Document-Drug Testing) found in the applicant's official record shows that a test conducted on 17 April 2007, was coded CO which indicates "Competence for Duty/Command Direct/Fitness for duty.” The commander directs an individual test for fitness for duty. The Limited Use Policy applies to this test basis, per AR 600-85. However, the evidence of record indicates that the applicant tested positive for cocaine and marijuana on 2 April 2007 and the unit commander may have ordered a new verification urinalysis test before proceeding with the court martial charges or initiating the separation action. In view of the aforementioned, the analyst believes the code on the DD Form 2624 was in all likelihood incorrect and should have been coded IO for “Inspection Other” instead of CO for “Competence for Duty.” 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: 10 March 2010 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 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 AR20090009847 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages