Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/11/22 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states: "Time served on Active Duty (March 2005-May 2007) 780 days, wasn't considered in qualifying for education benefits at a higher percentage rate. I was general discharged, under a condition that wasn't in my control." 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: 070404 Discharge Received: Date: 070502 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Pattern of Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: 215th CS Bn (Rear Det), Fort Hood, TX Time Lost: AWOL x 4 for a total of 116 days; 6 days (060412-060418), surrendered; 55 days (061002-061126), surrendered; 2 days (070102-070103), surrendered; and 53 days (070201-070326), surrendered; Confinement Civilian Authorities 23 days (061205-061227). Total time lost 139 days. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 060201, Failing to pay debt in the amount of $1,197.00 between (051114 and 051121), dereliction in the performance of duty (051228), failure to go at the time prescribed to her appointed place of duty x 3 (060104, 060117, and 060117), reduction to E3 (suspended); forfeiture of $388.00; and extra duty for 14 days, (CG). 060628, AWOL (060412-060419), reduction to E3; forfeiture of $394.00 (suspended); extra duty for 45 days; and restriction for 45 days, (CG). 070403, AWOL x 4 (061002-061127, 061205-061228, 070102-070104, and 070201-070327) and missing movement (061005), reduction to E1; forfeiture of $637.00 pay per month for 2 months (suspended); extra duty for 45 days; 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: 22 Current ENL Date: 050316 Current ENL Term: 04 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 08 Mos, 24 Days ????? Total Service: 05 Yrs, 01 Mos, 29 Days ????? Previous Discharges: USAR-010809-040727/HD RA-040728-050113/HD (Break-in-Service) Highest Grade: E2 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92A10/Automated Logistical GT: NIF EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 4 April 2007, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of pattern of misconduct for going AWOL three times, missing movement of her company to Iraq, and a serious record of FTR's, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. She was advised of her rights. On 5 April 2007, the applicant waived her right to consult with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and indicated her intent to submit a statement in her behalf which was not found in the available records. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 18 April 2007, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s discharge with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. The applicant's record contains a Military Police Report, dated 13 February 2006, 10 April 2006, 7 June 2006, 19 October 2006, and 22 October 2006. 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 during the period of enlistment under review, the documents, and the issues she submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of her service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By her misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of her 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. Furthermore, the analyst concluded that the applicant committed many discrediting offenses, which constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army. Having examined all the circumstances, the analyst determined that the applicant’s numerous incidents of misconduct did indeed adversely affect the quality of service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. These incidents of misconduct clearly diminished the quality of the applicant’s service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. While the applicant may believe family issues were the underlying cause of her misconduct, the record of evidence does not demonstrate that she sought relief from her command or the numerous Army community services like the Chaplain, Army Community and Family Support Services, Community Counseling Center, and other medical resources available to all Soldiers. Likewise, she has provided no evidence that she should not be held responsible for her misconduct. The analyst found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The analyst noted the applicant's issue about wanting to join the Army National Guard. At the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “3.” If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact the local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Those individuals can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Armed Forces at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. The analyst also noted the applicant's issue that her time served on active duty during the period (March 2005-May 2007) was not considered in qualifiying her for education benefits. However, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the characterization of service and reason for discharge to include the reentry eligibility code 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: 16 May 2012 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 and Self-Authored Letter. 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 Board Vote: Character - Change 0 No change 5 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) X. Board Action Directed Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA XI. Certification Signature Approval Authority: EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board BONITA E. TROTMAN Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army Secretary Recorder 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 AR20110023363 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 4 pages