Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2012/03/19 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that she would like an upgrade of her discharge so that she can take advantage of her Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. 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: 050925 Discharge Received: Date: 061004 Chapter: 5-8 AR: 635-200 Reason: Parenthood RE: SPD: JDG Unit/Location: A Btry 3/2d ADA, Fort Bliss, TX Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 040311 Current ENL Term: 04 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 06 Mos, 24 Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 06 Mos, 24 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92A10/Automated Logistical Specialist GT: 94 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: AAM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states: "Attending college, currently have a 3.7 GPA with great attendance." VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 25 September 2006, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-8, AR 635-200, by reason of parenthood, for failure to have a valid family care plan, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. She was advised of her rights. On 26 September 2006, the applicant waived her right to legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in her 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 an general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 26 September 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 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-8 provides that a Soldier may be separated when parental obligations interfere with fulfillment of military responsibilities. Specific reasons for separation because of parenthood include inability to perform prescribed duties satisfactorily, repeated absenteeism, late for work, inability to participate in field training exercises or perform special duties such as CQ and Staff Duty NCO, and non-availability for worldwide assignment or deployment according to the needs of the Army. Unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a Soldier being separated for the convenience of the government will be awarded a character of service of honorable, general under honorable conditions or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level status. No Soldier will be awarded a characterization of service under honorable conditions under this Chapter unless the Soldier is notified of the specific factors in his/her service record that warrant such a characterization, using the notification procedure. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records for the period of enlistment under review and the issue, and documents submitted with the application, the analyst determined that the characterization of service was improper. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-1b, states no Soldier will be awarded a character of service under honorable conditions under this Chapter unless the Soldier is notified of the specific factors in her service record that warrants such a characterization, using the notification procedure. The analyst determined that the applicant was not properly notified as to these factors. In view of the aforementioned, the analyst recommends to the Board to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the analyst determined the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 17 August 2012 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: Online application, Letter of support, dated 7 March 2012, and DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. 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 characterization of service is improper. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-1b, states no Soldier will be awarded a characterization of service of under honorable conditions under this Chapter unless the Soldier is notified of the specific factors in her service record that warrants such a characterization, using the notification procedure. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision Board Vote: Character - Change 5 No change 0 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: ARCHIE L. DAVIS III 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 AR20120005339 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 pages