Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/08/09 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that his discharge was undeserved based on one isolated incident throughout his military career. All of his actions were honorable other than the reason for his discharge as shown on his Enlisted Record Brief. During his time in the service, he participated in required drug screenings which he tested negative. Upon employment to his current employer, he was required to submit a urinalysis for drug screening, which tested negative as well. The one incident which ended his term in the military was truly an isolated incident as evidence shown on his ERB. He has been a productive member of society since being released from the military by furthering his education in the technical field. Due to experience and education obtained during his time in the military. He has received an employment opportunity with a well known company serving overseas as a contractor to support the mission. 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: 091029 Discharge Received: Date: 091202 Chapter: 14-12c (2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: Rear Detachment, 3/82nd General Support Aviation Battalion (R) (P), 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade (R) (P), Fort Bragg, NC Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090928, wrongfully used marijuana on or about (090708), reduction to Private First Class (E-3), forfeiture of $1012.00 pay per month for two months, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (091227), extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 040811 Current ENL Term: 3 Years 25 weeks/The applicant required an administrative waiver at the time of enlistment, which was appproved on (060203). Current ENL Service: 3 Yrs, 9 Mos, 2 Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 11 Mos, 26 Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 040811-041104/UNC Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 15T10 UH-60 Helicopter Rep GT: 115 EDU: GED Cert Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Afghanistan (070109-080201) Decorations/Awards: GCMDL, NDSM, AFCMw/CS, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR, NATOM, JMUA, V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant stated in his issue that he has been a productive member of society since being released from the military through furthering his education in the technical field. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 29 October 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; in that he wrongfully used marijuana between on or about (090807-090906), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 2 November 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 service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 6 November 2009, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged 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 and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which 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 his discharge was undeserved because it was based on one isolated incident throughout his military career. He has been a productive member of society since being released from the military by furthering his education in the technical field. The analyst acknowledges the applicant’s documents with his application outlining his successful accomplishments since separation from active duty. The applicant is to be commended for his efforts. However, these accomplishments do not provide the Board a basis upon which to grant relief. Additionally, even though the applicant's claims it was a single incident, the analyst concluded that the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of soldiers in the Army. The applicable Army regulation states that there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by a single incident provides the basis for a characterization. Having examined all the circumstances, the analyst determined that the applicant's single incident of misconduct did indeed adversely affect the quality of service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. This single incident of misconduct clearly diminished the quality of the applicant's service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. Further, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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: 25 April 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 28 July 2010, Certificate of Completion from the Fayetteville Technical Community College dated 26 October 2003, and a Certificate of Completion from the US Army Aviation Logistics School dated 9 July 2010. 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 AR20100020896 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages