Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/12/05 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that he wants an upgrade to remove any blemishes on his professional career that may occur from this type of discharge. He was discharged for a pattern of misconduct and it was only two occurrences though his actions as a military professional that were not excusable. He has attached many character witness letters which attest to his good will and character. 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: 110518 Discharge Received: Date: 110728 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Pattern of Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: ????? Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 110418, as a result of wrongful previous overindulgence in intoxicating liquor or drugs, incapacitated for the proper performance of his duties (110321), reduction to Specialist (E-4), forfeiture of $1,115.00 pay per month for two months, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (110617), extra duty and restriction for 30 days (FG). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 26 Current ENL Date: Reenl/100128 Current ENL Term: NIF Years ????? Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 6 Mos, 1 Days ????? Total Service: 4 Yrs, 10 Mos, 8 Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 060921-100127/HD Highest Grade: E-5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 25F10 Net SW Sys Oper/Maint GT: 111 EDU: GED Cert Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Iraq (090927-100920) Decorations/Awards: AAM (2), GCMDL, NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ICMDLw/2 CS, MUC, ASR, OSR, C/Ach V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 18 May 2011, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of a pattern of misconduct; in that he was apprehended by the military police for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol (110320) and as a result of wrongful previous overindulgence in intoxicating liquor or drugs incapacitated for the proper performance of his duties (110321). The unit commander recommended separation with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 25 May 2011, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted 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 21 June 2011, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. The record contains a Military Police Report in reference to the applicant's offense of driving under the influence of alcohol dated 21 February 2011. The applicant received a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand for driving under the influence of alcohol dated 10 March 2011. 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 that he wants an upgrade to remove any blemishes on his professional career that may occur from this type of discharge. He was discharged for pattern of misconduct and it was only two occurrences though his actions as a military professional were not excusable. The analyst considered the applicant’s quality of service during the initial portion of the enlistment under review. However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently meritorious to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge. Further, even though the applicant claims that it was only two occurrences, the analyst concluded that the discrediting offenses 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 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. 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: 1 June 2012 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 29 November 2011, 25 character reference letters with various dates, copy of his driving record dated 27 March 2011, DA Form 2823 (Sworn Statement) dated 9 April 2011. 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 1 No change 4 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: No Change Other: No Change RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No Change 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 AR20110024176 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages