1. APPLICANT’S NAME: a. Application Date: 20 June 2015 b. Date Received: 20 July 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, REASON, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general, under honorable conditions discharge to honorable. The applicant contends the characterization of service he received was based on one isolated incident. He had previous periods of service which were characterized as honorable. The reason he received the general, under honorable conditions discharge stemmed from personal family matters which were properly documented. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 March 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, after carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review, the Board determined Characterization improper based on circumstances surrounding the discharge including the Command's failure to adhere to notification procedures as prescribed within AR 635-200, para 6-11c. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant full relief in the form of an upgrade of characterization of service to honorable. However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was proper and equitable and voted not to change it. (Board member names available upon request.) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason/Authority/Codes/Characterization: Hardship / AR 635-200 / Chapter 6-3a / KDB / RE-3 / General, Under Honorable Conditions. b. Date of Discharge: 31 October 2005 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: The applicant requested a hardship discharge under Chapter 6 on DA Form 4187, dated 26 August 2005. His record shows he submitted a written request on 28 July 2005 through his commander. The record also shows on 29 July 2005, the applicant signed a DA Form 4187 requesting a hardship discharge under Chapter 6. There is no evidence in the record to show why the first request was not acted upon. (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: the applicant requested discharge under Chapter 6-3, AR 635-200. (3) Recommended Characterization: There is no record of the company commander’s recommendation. The applicant’s battalion commander recommended an honorable discharge. (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: None (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: Undated / General, Under Honorable Conditions 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 29 October 2004 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 29 / Some College / 114 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-5 / 63B20, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic / 11 years, 4 months, 29 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: ARNG, 2 June 1994 - 21 December 1998 / NIF e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: Germany, Albania, SWA / Iraq (1 February 2003 - 4 February 2004) f. Awards and Decorations: ARCOM, AAM-3, AGCM-2, NDSM-2, ASR, OSR, GWTSM, GWTEM g. Performance Ratings: January 2004 - December 2004, Among The Best h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: DA Form 2627 (Record of Proceedings Under Article 15, USMJ), dated 22 August 2005, for missing movement on or about 1 August 2005 in violation of Article 87, UCMJ. The punishment consisted of reduction to E-5, forfeiture of $1210.00 per month for 2 months, extra duty for 45 days. i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for Review of Discharge), dated 20 June 2015, an extract of an unidentified regulation regarding eligibility for use of the MGIB. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None stated. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Chapter 6, AR 635-200 provides for separation for the convenience of the Government. An uncharacterized service description is normally granted to Soldiers who are in an entry level status, and honorable or under honorable conditions if the Soldier is beyond ELS, for separation under this chapter. Paragraph 6-3a provides for separation due to dependency, when disability of a member of a Soldier’s immediate family causes a member to rely upon the Soldier for principal care or support. 8. DISCUSSION OF ISSUE(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general, under honorable conditions discharge to honorable. The applicant’s record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms the applicant voluntarily requested separation from the Army due to dependency or hardship. 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. The applicant contends his spouse was having medical issues which were well documented when he requested his hardship discharge. These medical issues led to the isolated incident which caused his discharge from the Army. Although a single incident, the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army. Army Regulation 635-200, in pertinent part, stipulates there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by a single incident provides the basis for a characterization. The applicant contends he had good service which included three previous honorable discharges. The applicant’s service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents which led to the discharge proceedings were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. 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: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change e. Restore Grade to: NA AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: COL, US ARMY Presiding Officer Army Discharge Review Board Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School OAD - Ordered to Active Duty SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OMPF - Official Military Personnel File TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP – Military Police PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS – Entry Level Status IADT – Initial Active Duty Training RE - Reentry UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable SCM - Summary Court Martial ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150012307 1