Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/09/22 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that he is an upstanding citizen who holds a steady job and pay his taxes. He doesn't wish to carry around this bad mark on his otherwise clean record. He doesn't deserve to be black listed his whole life due to an indiscretion. 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: 090205 Discharge Received: Date: 090212 Chapter: 14-12c(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: Comanche Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, Fort Lewis, WA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090205, Wrongfully used marijuana between on or about 081101-081202; wrongfully used marijuana between on or about 081110-081210; the continuation sheet (DA Form 2627) is not part of the available record; forfeiture of $699.00 pay per month for two months; extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG) Article 15, 081118, Wrongfully used marijuana between on or about 080908-081009; reduction to Private (E-1); forfeiture of $350.00 pay per month for two months; extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG) The suspension of the punishment restriction for 45 days imposed on 081118 was vacated, based on the applicant's offense of with intent to deceive, made to 1LT, an official statement, which was false on or about 081201. The unit commander's recommendation for separation action indicates the applicant received a Summarized Article 15; however, the Article 15 and the charges are not part of the available record, but the punishment imposed was: extra duty and restriction for 14 days. Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 27 Current ENL Date: 070104 Current ENL Term: 6 Years 19 Weeks/The applicant required an administrative waiver at the time of enlistment, which was approved on (061113). Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 1 Mos, 9 Days ????? Total Service: 2 Yrs, 1 Mos, 9 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 19D10 R4 Cavalry Scout GT: 103 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 5 September 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense, abuse of illegal drugs; in that he tested positive for marijuana on 081009; 081202; 081210; 081229; and on 081230; also, he lied to a commissioned and noncommissioned officer about his whereabouts on 081201, by stating that he was given quarters when in fact he never reported to Okubo Clinic, 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, voluntarily waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board 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 commanders reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an under other than honorable conditions discharge. On 6 February 2009, 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 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, but a general discharge 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 found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The analyst determined that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. 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 his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The analyst noted the applicant's issue that he is an upstanding citizen who holds a steady job and pay his taxes and he doesn't want to carry around this bad mark on his otherwise clean record. The analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life and the applicant is to be commended for his efforts. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and the characterization of service granted. Therefore, the analyst determined that 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 2010 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: None submitted by the applicant. 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: No Change Other: No Change RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No Change 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 AR20090016679 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages