1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 25 November 2015 b. Date Received: 7 December 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 would like an upgrade to allow him to have a clean slate when applying for schools or apprenticeships. The applicant states that he made one mistake that cost him his career and now that he has been discharged, he would like to start a new career in a new field. His discharge is an issue because trades that he would like to apply for ask him for his DD Form 214 and his discharge keeps him from getting the apprenticeship. He has been working extremely hard to make ends meet for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union. His position now is a welder's helper, which is a trade that he enjoys and desires to pursue as a career. To do so, he must apply for the apprenticeship, but he believes that his discharge will prevent him from pursuing his new career goals. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 February 2017, 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: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) / AR 635- 200 / Chapter 14-12c (2) / JKK / RE-4 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 13 November 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 6 October 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant committed a serious offense for which the specific circumstances of the offense warrant separation and a punitive discharge is, or would be authorized for the same or closely related offense under the MCM. Specifically, he tested positive for cocaine (on or about 8 July 2014) and tested positive for oxycodone and oxymorphone (on or about 23 February 2014). (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 15 October 2014 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 27 October 2014 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 19 February 2013 / 3 years, 16 days b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 21 / HS Graduate / 101 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 11B10, Infantryman / 1 year, 8 months, 10 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Alaska / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Electronic Copy of DD Form 2624, dated 21 March 2014, reflects the applicant tested positive for OXCOD 2198 (oxycodone) and OXMOR 2305 (oxymorphone) during an Inspection Unit (IU) urinalysis testing conducted on 23 February 2014. Electronic Copy of DD Form 2624, dated 8 July 2014, reflects the applicant tested positive for COC 144 (cocaine) during an Inspection Unit (IU) urinalysis testing conducted on 8 July 2014. FG Article 15, dated 11 August 2014, for wrongfully using cocaine (between 5 and 8 July 2014; and wrongfully using oxycodone and oxymorphone, a schedule II controlled substance. The punishment consisted of a reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $765 pay per month for two months, and extra duty and restriction for 45 days. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 1 October 2014, reflects the applicant was cleared for administrative actions deemed appropriate by the command. The applicant could understand the difference between right and wrong and could participate in the proceedings. Developmental Counseling Form for failing a breath alcohol test. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: 14 days (NIF, 23 June and 7 July 2014) / NIF j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with his application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): 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. Paragraph 14-12c(2) terms abuse of illegal drugs as serious misconduct. It continues; however, by recognizing relevant facts may mitigate the nature of the offense. Therefore, a single drug abuse offense may be combined with one or more minor disciplinary infractions or incidents of other misconduct and processed for separation under paragraph 14-12a or 14-12b as appropriate. 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, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant's discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. It brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant's service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance, such that he should be retained on active duty. The applicant contends the incident that caused his discharge was the only one in his entire Army career. Although a single incident, the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army. The applicable Army regulation states there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by a single incident provides the basis for a characterization. The applicant's incident of misconduct adversely affected the quality of his service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. The applicant contends that an upgrade of his discharge will allow him to obtain better employment. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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 DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 February 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214 / Issue a New Separation Order: 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: No Change AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer 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 NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160000141 1