Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/06/26 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states in effect that an upgrade and a change in his reentry code would allow him to reenlist and serve again. He is very patriotic and has the willingness to serve selflessly. He states that he is no longer homosexual and has no feelings of such as he has asked a woman to marry him. 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: 070730 Discharge Received: Date: 070808 Chapter: 15-3b AR: 635-200 Reason: Homosexual Conduct (Admission) RE: SPD: JRB Unit/Location: HHC, 43d AG Bn, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 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: 18 Current ENL Date: 070712 Current ENL Term: 4 Years 17 weeks Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 00Mos, 27Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 00Mos, 27Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-1 (Discharge orders state PFC) Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 124 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: None V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: New Britain, CT Post Service Accomplishments: None listed. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 30 July 2007, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual conduct (admission) with an uncharacterized discharge. On 17 July 2007, the applicant admitted to his company commander in a sworn statement that he was a homosexual and had engaged or had the propensity to engage in homosexual/bisexual acts. He was advised of his rights. On 30 July 2007, the applicant waived legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, 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. On 12 March 2004, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of uncharacterized. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 15 of that regulation states that active homosexuality is incompatible with military service and provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of members who actively engage in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrate a tendency to engage in homosexual conduct. The Army regulation states that when the sole basis for separation is homosexuality, a discharge under other than honorable conditions may be issued only if such characterization is warranted in accordance with Chapter 3, Section III, and if there is a finding that during the current term of service the Soldier attempted, solicited, or committed a homosexual act by using force, coercion or intimidation; with a person under 16 years of age; with a subordinate in circumstances that violate customary military superior subordinate relationships; openly in public view; for compensation; aboard a military vessel or aircraft; or in another location subject to military control if the conduct had, or was likely to have had, an adverse impact on discipline, good order, or morale due to the close proximity of other Soldiers of the Armed Forces. In all other cases, the type of discharge will reflect the character of the Soldier’s overall record of service. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review and the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The analyst noted that the applicant was in an entry level status (ELS) at the time the unit commander initiated separation action under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200 by reason of homosexual conduct (admission). A Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. Furthermore, for Soldiers in entry-level status, a fully honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The analyst determined that no such unusual circumstances were present in the applicant’s record and the applicant's service did not warrant an honorable discharge. The analyst noted the applicant’s issue that he is no longer homosexual; however, the record shows that on 17 July 2007, he provided a sworn statement indicating he was homosexual. Army Regulations provide that homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The presence of persons who engage in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrate a tendency to engage in homosexual conduct impairs that ability of the unit to maintain discipline, good order and morale. Additionally, 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: 30 April 2010 Location: Washington, D.C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: Letter from Congressman, letter to service members, Operation Smart award, delayed entry checklist, PT test results, ASVAB scores, picture of applicant and his fiancee, separation documents. 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 Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090011662 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages