Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2012/06/01 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, with all due respect to his former unit and commander, he feels that he was misjudged as a Soldier and did not do anything so terrible as to be discharged an other-than- honorable. His unit was in Iraq and he was eager to join them but he found out his commander did not want him there based on the false accusation that he was a “trouble maker." He takes full responsibility for his actions but he feels he was “picked on” while on rear detachment. Since his discharge, he has been an outstanding member of society and he only wishes to have access to the benefits he paid into in order to further his education. 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: 080318 Discharge Received: Date: 080402 Chapter: 14-12c (2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: B Company, 2d Brigade Combat Team (Rear)(Provisional), Fort Campbell, KY. Time Lost: The unit commander's memorandum of notification of intent to separate indicates the applicant was AWOL for 31 days (070910-071010). However, the lost time was not annotated in block 29 on the DD Form 214. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 071029, failed to go to his appointed place of duty at the prescribed time, reduction to E-2, suspended, forfeiture of $357.00 pay per month for one month, suspended, and 14 days restriction and 14 days extra duty. CG 080111, wrongfully used marijuana (071204), reduction to E- 1, forfeiture of $815.00 pay per month for 2 months, 45 days restriction and 45 days extra duty. (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 20 Current ENL Date: 060110 Current ENL Term: 03 Years 22 weeks Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 02 Mos, 23 Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 02 Mos, 23 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92F10 Petroleum Supply Specialist GT: 100 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None listed by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 18 March 2008, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c (2), AR 635-200, by reason of commission of a serious offense for being AWOL (070910-071010) and testing positive for marijuana use (071204), with an under than honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The record is void of the applicant's Election of Rights memorandum; however, there is a presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs that shall be applied in any review unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption and the analyst presumes government regularity. The separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s discharge with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 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 being absent 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, and the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst determined that the discharge is improper. The applicant was notified under Board Procedures, AR 635-200, and the final decision for his characterization of service was to be made by the General Court Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA). A legal review indicates that the Rear Commander, 101st Airborne Division (Air) (Assault) (Rear) (Provisional), Fort Campbell, Kentucky, did not have the authority to approve the Chapter 14 and direct the issuance of an under other than honorable conditions discharge because he was not delegated the authority of a General Court Martial Convening Authority. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the discharge was improper and recommends to the board that relief be granted in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable and a change to the narrative reason for separation to secretarial authority. This action does not entail a restoration of grade. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 31 October 2012 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: An online DD Form 293 and 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 improper. The applicant was notified under Board Procedures, AR 635-200, the final decision for his characterization of service was to be made by the General Court Martial Convening Authority (GCMCA). The record shows that the Rear Commander, 101st Airborne Division (Air) (Assault) (Rear) (Provisional) Fort Campbell, Kentucky, did not have such authority. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable and a change to the narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority. This action entails a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code to 3. IX. Board Decision Board Vote: Character - Change 5 No change 0 Reason - Change 5 No change 0 (Board member names available upon request) X. Board Action Directed Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: Secretarial Authority under Provision of Chapter 5, AR 635-200, with a corresponding SPD Code of JFF (Involuntary Discharge). 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 JOSEPH M. BYERS 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 AR20120010407 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 4 pages