MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:             29 June 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR1999033041

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Edmund P. Mercanti		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. John N. Slone		Member	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his military health records be corrected to delete the entry that he used illegal drugs at age 14.

APPLICANT STATES:  He had been hospitalized for attempted suicide at the time he made that statement, and was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.  He contends that a person who is intoxicated to the degree he was at that time may say anything, but there would be no reason to believe the statements as truth.   The applicant adds that if he was such a drug offender, why was he accepted by the Army?

In support of his application he submits a clinical summary dated 1 February 1971.  In that summary the physician stated that the applicant was brought into the dispensary under the influence of drugs.  The applicant was quoted as saying “he has used drugs since the age of 14 including LSD, marijuana, and “smack” which he snorts.  He says that he has personal problems and was trying to kill himself.”

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He enlisted in the Regular Army on 23 October 1969, was awarded the military occupational specialty of ammo storage specialist, and was promoted to pay grade E-2.  On 4 February 1972 the applicant was given a general discharge by reason of unsuitability, character and behavior disorders.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record and applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records.  The information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.

2.  The physician who was treating the applicant merely reported what the applicant said.  Whether the applicant was truthful or not is not germane to the integrity of the record.  The fact remains that the applicant did in fact say that he used illegal drugs since age 14, and that statement is recorded in his medical records.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__jhl ____  ___jns __  ____mhm  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999033041	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000629	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.