Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/11/30 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states in effect that since leaving the Army over two years ago, he has been sober, has kept his promise to sobriety, and has held a steady job since his discharge. He misses the Army and wants to rejoin. He believs he would be a great asset to the military once again. 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: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 071018 Chapter: 9 AR: 635-200 Reason: Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure RE: SPD: JPD Unit/Location: B Btry, 2-5 FA Bn, Fort Sill, OK Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None in file. However, the record shows the apllicant achieved the rank of SPC/E-4 and was discharged as a PV2/E-2. The UCMJ action that reduced him is not in his OMPF. Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 25 Current ENL Date: 050514 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 05Mos, 15Days ????? Total Service: 07 Yrs, 01Mos, 06Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 000913-050513/HD (Immediate Reenlistment) Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 13B10/Cannon Crewmember GT: 101 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea, SWA Combat: Iraq (030411-040313 and 050731-060716) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM-2, AAM, AGCM, NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ICM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Lawton, OK Post Service Accomplishments: Has maintained a steady job and remains sober since his discharge from the Army. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to the discharge from the Army. However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature. The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 9, AR 635-200, for alcohol rehabilitation failure with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JPD (i.e., alcohol rehabilitation failure) with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "4." The record contains a GOMOR dated 31 August 2006. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel and outlines the procedures for discharging individuals because of alcohol or other drug abuse. A member who has been referred to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Program (ADAPCP) for alcohol/drug abuse may be separated because of inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program if there is a lack of potential for continued Army service and rehabilitation efforts are no longer practical. Army policy states that an honorable or general, under honorable conditions discharge is authorized depending on the applicant’s overall record of service. However, an honorable discharge is required if restricted use information is used in the discharge process. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s available records for the period of enlistment under review, and the issue and the Veterans Administration document he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to his discharge from the Army. However, the record does contain information that indicates he had third DUI offense and his major commander decided to place the GOMOR in his OMPF. Further, individuals are assigned reentry codes based on their service records or the reason for discharge. The applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 4. The analyst found no bases upon which to recommend a change to the applicant’s reentry code. An RE code of “4” cannot be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment. The Applicant contends that since leaving the Army, he has been employed continuously and has remained sober. The Army Discharge Review Board is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. However, there is no law or regulation, which provides an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, is considered during Board proceedings. The Board reviews each discharge on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate previous in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character. The analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life and noted the many accomplishments outlined with the application and in the document with the application. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the analyst presumes government regularity in the discharge process and concludes that it appears 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: 3 September 2010 Location: Washington, D.C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: VA Letter of reference. 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 AR20090020551 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages