Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/12/07 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that he was undergoing separation through a Medical Evaluation Board for service-connected injuries which included severe depression and drug abuse. After he attempted suicide he was arrested and hospitalized by civilian authorities. Although, he was never confined, he received an Article 15 and completed his punishment. He has since completed six months of rehabilitation and has also been pardoned by the civilian authorities. He has now been clean for more than two years. He had developed an addiction to painkillers due to his service-connected spine injury. He has been found to be 40% disabled. He has also found it very difficult to find a job. 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: 060814 Discharge Received: Date: 060830 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Serious Offense) RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: G Company, 94th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Fort Polk, Louisiana Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 051026, without authority failed to go at the time prescribed to his appointed place of duty, 0600 accountability formation (050917); reduction to E-1, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (060124); extra duty for 14 days; (CG). 060109, disobeyed a lawful order to be on quarters for 48 hours (051121) by wrongfully breaking quarters (051123); reduction to E-1, suspended to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (060310); forfeiture of $100 pay per month for one month; and extra duty for 14 days; (CG). 060627, disorderly which in nature was to bring discredit upon the armed forces (060530); reduction to E-1; forfeiture of $640 per month for 2 months; extra duty for 45 days, and restriction to the limits of Fort Polk proper for 45 days; (FG). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 32 Current ENL Date: 040805 Current ENL Term: 5 Years 26 Weeks Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 0 Mos, 26 Days ????? Total Service: 2 Yrs, 0 Mos, 26 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 63H10 A4 Tracked Vehicle Mechanic GT: 105 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 14 August 2006, 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 being confined for possession of heroin (060615); failing to obey an order by breaking quarters (051121), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On this 15 August 2006, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, unconditionally waived his right to an administrative separation board (was not entitled), and submitted 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 18 August 2006, 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 the issues and documents he submitted, the analyst determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable. There was a full consideration of all faithful and honorable service as well as the infraction of discipline, the extent thereof, and the seriousness of the offense. 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 his 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 about his service connected disability; as outlined in his application. 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 applicant contends that since leaving the Army, he has been through a rehabilitation program and clean for over two years. The analyst acknowledges the applicant's success; however, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. Further, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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: 1 June 2012 Location: Washington, D. C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: None Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293, various medical documents, verification of first offender pardon docket number VRN 70689 and a 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 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: No Change 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 AR20110024307 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 pages