Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/04/13 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, "I acquired an allergic reaction to the ANTHRAX IMMUNIZATION which paralyzed the upper right half of my body. It ruined my military career and life. After a year in the WTB @ Ft Campbell a Dr. [redacted], without wheening me off of narcotic pain medication of a high dose on a Friday, was left to self medicate to relieve my pain. I have constant nerve issues in my right arm and hand, and have symptoms of facial paralysis when my rear right head begins to pound w/headaches. My life is constantly affected by what happened to me and I want the US Army to recognize my life and service as honorable. The misconduct in my narrative reason should be changed to "the BIG GREEN MACHINE" screwed this soldier. Constant nerve pain is no way to live especially when acquired in route to Iraq from a shout they forced us to take as manadatory, when in fact it wasn't. This will be just like Agent Orange in 30 years but I will not wait that long to receive retribution". 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: 090217 Discharge Received: Date: 090306 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Serious Offense) RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: C Co, WTB, Ft Campbell, KY Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090121, wrongfully introduce an unknown amount of Cocaine, a Schedule II controlled substance, onto an installation used by the armed forces, to wit: Fort Campbell, KY, between on or about 14 September 2008 and on or about 14 October 2008; reduction E1; forfeiture of $673.00 pay, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before 18 July 2009; 45 days restriction (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 27 Current ENL Date: 070521 Current ENL Term: NIF Years ????? Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 10Mos, 16Days ????? Total Service: 1 Yrs, 10Mos, 16Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 88M10 Motor Transport Operator GT: 115 EDU: Associate Degree Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (071228-080127) Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, ICMw/CSS, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Monongahela, PA Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 11 February 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct commission of a serious offense for testing positive for wrongful use of cocaine, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 12 February 2009, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action 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 commander reviewed the proposed action and recommended approval of the separation with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 17 February 2009, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed the applicant’s discharge with a characterization of service of general, under 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 analyst determined that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of 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. The analyst noted the applicant's contention that he acquired an allergic reaction to the anthrax immunization which paralyzed the upper right half of his body. The record shows that the applicant was diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome and began treatment on 080101 in Kuwait. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. The record shows that on 4 December 2007, the applicant underwent a mental evaluation which indicates that he was mentally responsible, with thought content as clear, and was able to recognize right from wrong. By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and diminished the quality of service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant contends that the narrative reason for his discharge should be changed. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c, AR 635-200 with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Misconduct (Serious Offense)", and the separation code is "JKQ." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. 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: 7 January 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 214 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: 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 AR20100012887 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages