1. Applicant’s Name: a. Application Date: 8 July 2015 b. Date Received: 20 July 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions), discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he needs assistance in obtaining housing, employment and would like to use his GI Bill. Since his discharge he has maintained continuous employment. In a records review hearing conducted at Arlington, VA on 9 May 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason/Authority/Codes/Characterization: Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure / AR 635-200 / Chapter 9 / JPD / RE-4 / General, Under Honorable Conditions b. Date of Discharge: 20 October 2000 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 25 September 2000 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons for his discharge; the unit commander’s recommendation memorandum on 30 August 2000, ADAPCP determined that he was a rehabilitative failure. In consultation with the rehabilitation team, the unit commander determined that further rehabilitative efforts are not practical due to his lack of self-commitment. (3) Recommended Characterization: General, Under Honorable Conditions Discharge (4) Legal Consultation Date: 26 September 2000 (5) Administrative Separation Board: Waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 5 October 2000 / General, Under Honorable Conditions 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 31 August 1999 / 2 years b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 32 years / HS Graduate / 117 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: SGT / E-5 / 91D10, Operating Room Specialist / 12 years, 9 months and 25 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: RA (30 December 1987-19 October 1991) / HD RA (20 October 1991-2 February 1994) / HD RA (3 February 1994-28 August 1996) / HD RA (29 August 1996-30 August 1999) / HD e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: Belgium / Germany / None f. Awards and Decorations: ARCOM-3, AAM-3, AGCM-4, NDSM, NOPDR-2, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: September 1999-February 2000, Fully Capable h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: FG Article 15, dated 14 September 2000, for, without authority, absenting himself from his unit (AWOL), (5 July 2000-28 July 2000); reduction to SPC / E-4, forfeiture of $796 pay for two months (suspended), and extra duty for 45 days The applicant received a negative counseling statement for alcohol rehabilitation failure. i. Lost Time: The applicant was AWOL for 23 days (5 July 2000-28 July 2000); he returned to the unit. j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided by the applicant. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 9 outlines the procedures for discharging individuals because of alcohol or other drug abuse. A member who has been referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) for alcohol or drug abuse may be separated because of inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program if there is a lack of potential for continued Army service and rehabilitation efforts are no longer practical. Army policy states an honorable or general, under honorable conditions discharge is authorized depending on the applicant’s overall record of service. However, an honorable discharge is required if limited use information is used in the discharge process. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions), discharge to honorable. The applicant’s record of service and the issues submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant was enrolled in ASAP and was aware of the consequences of any action which would demonstrate any inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program. As a result of the applicant’s actions and after consultation with the drug and alcohol abuse counselor, the command declared the Soldier a rehabilitation failure. The evidence of record establishes the fact the applicant was properly counseled and afforded a reasonable opportunity to overcome his problems. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he needs assistance in obtaining housing, employment and would like to use his GI Bill. Since his discharge he has maintained continuous employment. Eligibility for housing supportive program benefits for Veterans does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. Moreover, all veterans at risk for homelessness or attempting to exit homelessness can request immediate assistance by calling the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans hotline at 1-877-424-3838 for free and confidential assistance. Further, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. The Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The applicant is to be commended for his effort. However, this contention is not a matter upon which the Army Discharge Review Board grants a change in discharge because it raises no matter of fact, law, procedure, or discretion related to the discharge process, nor is it associated with the discharge at the time it was issued. 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: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change e. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: NA 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 BH – Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training 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 MST – Military Sexual Trauma RE - Reentry UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150012326 4