Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/09/10 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states "Hi First and for most i would like to thank you for you time. I would like my discharge to be upgraded from a General under Honorable to a Honorable discharge also my Reentry code from a 4 to a 3. Last year I make a big mistake and I've been Paying for it but im asking you for a second chance, a second chance to start over the right way. I love this contry and I want to set a better example for my Daughter and my peers. Being in the army really taught me the values of being a man it made me grow up and i'm thankful for that. I made and unfortunate mistake of smoking weed when times got hard for me istead of seeking help, since then i have received help to better myself and I feel that I'm ready to make the life run into the military bearing honor, respect, and intergrity. I do apoligize for disgracing the army's name and my intentions were never that. I love my country and would love another chance to serve. I feel that this discharge upgrade would help me to take a giant leap into revamping my life and working toward my goal of reentering the United States Army as well as my Reentry code I have alot of family and friends that are closer to me, keeping me on the right path. I come to you humble as can be, asking please for a second chance. I would like to say thank you again for you time and look foward in hearing from you." 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: 090722 Discharge Received: Date: 090811 Chapter: 14-12c(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: E Company, 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, TX Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 090623, wrongfully used marijuana between on or about (090426-090526), the punishment imposed from the Article 15 is not part of the available record; however, the applicant was reduced to a Private (E-1). (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 19 Current ENL Date: 080221 Current ENL Term: 3 Years 2 weeks Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 5 Mos, 21 Days ????? Total Service: 1 Yrs, 11 Mos, 26 Days ????? Previous Discharges: USAR 070816-070827/NA ADT 070828-080117/UNC USAR 080118-080220/HD Highest Grade: E-2 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92Y10 Unit Supply Spec GT: 91 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant completed the Fort Wayne Indiana Rehabilitation Center for Drugs. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 21 July 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c (2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense; in that he received a Field Grade Article 15 for testing positive for marijuana on (090623), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 21 July 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 4 August 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 a careful review of all the applicant’s military records, 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. By the misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant’s service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. The analyst noted the applicant's issue requesting that his reentry eligibility (RE) code be changed from a 4 to a 3 so that he can serve his country again. 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. Further, the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c (2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-drug abuse; with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Misconduct Drug Abuse” and the separation code is "JKK." 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 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: 18 May 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: Online application dated 10 September 2010, Character Reference Letter undated, Certificate of Completion of the Fort Wayne Indiana Rehabilitation Center for Drugs, 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 AR20100021479 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 pages