1. APPLICANT’S NAME: a. Application Date: 8 June 2014 b. Date Received: 11 June 2014 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, REASON, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests to upgrade his general, under honorable conditions characterization of service to honorable. The applicant states, in pertinent part and in effect, he had not realized he was suffering from depression or seasonal affective disorder. He was diagnosed with anxiety and chronic psychiatric diagnosis. The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) screening indicated a positive score of 57. He was never offered any help to combat his medical conditions. He was discharged without a referral to mental health services. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 July 2015, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board finding the separation was both proper and equitable, denied the request. (Board member names available upon request.) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason/Authority/Codes/Characterization: Pattern of Misconduct / AR 635-200, Paragraph 14-12b / JKA / RE-3 / General, Under Honorable Conditions b. Date of Discharge: 19 February 2013 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 15 January 2013 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: engaging in a pattern of misconduct consisting of discreditable conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline; failing to be at his appointed place of duty on numerous occasions; failing two APFTs on 15 May 2012 and 12 September 2012; failing to report on time for his extra duty; not using proper chain of command for accountability; and failing to keep Army standards when he reported for duty unshaven. (3) Recommended Characterization: General, Under Honorable Conditions (4) Legal Consultation Date: 28 January 2013 (5) Administrative Separation Board: No (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 5 February 2013 / General, Under Honorable Conditions 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 9 November 2010 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 21 / HS Graduate / 98 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-3 / 15U10, CH-47 Helicopter Repairer / 2 years, 3 months, 14 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: Alaska / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM; GWOTSM; ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: CG Article 15, dated 6 July 2012, for three specifications of violating Article 86, UCMJ, failing to be at his appointed place of duty at the prescribed time and violation of Article 92, UCMJ, dereliction of duty. He was reduced to Private (E-2), forfeited $389 (suspended), 14 days of extra duty, and an oral reprimand. Supplementary Article 15, dated 6 December 2012, vacated the suspended punishment of a forfeiture of $389 imposed on 6 July 2012, for failing to be at his appointed place of duty at the prescribed time on 27 November 2012. The applicant received numerous counseling statements for various acts of misconduct and substandard performance of duty. i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: Mental health issues noted in Report of Medical History, dated 19 December 2012. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 12 December 2012, indicates the applicant’s psychiatric conditions, and personality and intelligence disorders as 799.9 Deferred, that he had behavioral health and ASAP follow-up appointments, and a negative screening for PTSD and MTBI. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 214 for service under current review; Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 12 December 2012; and health records, dated 12 December 2012, 11 January 2013, 1 February 2013, and 17 December 2012. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): AR 635-200, Chapter 14 allows for separation for misconduct with paragraph 14-1 allowing for separating personnel because of minor disciplinary infractions; a pattern of misconduct; commission of serious offense; conviction by civil authorities; desertion; or absence without leave. Paragraph 14-2 states action will be taken to separate a Soldier for misconduct when it is clearly established that despite attempts to rehabilitate or develop him/her as a Soldier further effort is not likely to succeed; rehabilitation is impracticable or the Soldier is not amenable to rehabilitation. Paragraph 14-12b addresses a pattern of misconduct consisting of either discreditable involvement with civil or military authorities or discreditable conduct and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline including conduct violating the accepted standards of personal conduct found in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Army Regulations, the civil law and time-honored customs and traditions of the Army. 8. DISCUSSION OF ISSUE(S) AND RECOMMENDATION(S): The applicant is seeking an upgrade of his characterization of service and contends he had not realized he was suffering from mental health issues and had a positive screening for PTSD. If he was offered an opportunity for in-depth mental health services, he would not have been involved in risk taking activities that led to his disciplinary actions. The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of his discharge. However, the applicant had a documented pattern of misconduct, to include punishment under Article 15 of the UCMJ; for failing to be at his appointed place of duty at the prescribed time on numerous occasions and dereliction of duty, and by the numerous counseling statements for various acts of misconduct and substandard performance of duty. By the pattern of misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. The applicant contends he was offered no assistance with his mental health issues. However, the evidence of record shows the command attempted to assist the applicant in performing and conducting himself to Army standards by providing counseling and by the imposition of non-judicial punishment. The applicant failed to respond appropriately to these efforts. Further, the applicant’s service record supports a positive screening for PTSD; however, a careful review of the entire record reveals that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. His mental status evaluation, dated 12 December 2012, indicates he was mentally responsible, with thought content as clear, and was able to recognize right from wrong. It appears his chain of command determined that although he may have been suffering from mental health issues, he knew the difference between what was right and wrong as indicated by the mental status evaluation. In view of the foregoing, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a new DD-214/Issue new Separation Order: No b. Change characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change e. Restoration to Grade: No Change Authenticating Official: COL, US ARMY Presiding Officer Army Discharge Review Board Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NA - Not applicable SCM- Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge CID - Criminal investigation Department MP – Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UOTHC - Under Other Than FG - Field Grade IADT – Initial Active Duty Training RE - Reentry Honorable Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20140010344 1