MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  9 November 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR1999015560

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Theodore G. Heartley		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms. Celia L. Adolphi		Member	
	Ms. Karen Y. Fletcher		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:  Reconsideration of his previous application to correct his records by upgrading his discharge under other than honorable conditions to an honorable discharge.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that in 1991, he discovered that he suffered from the long term effects of alcoholism; that his problem with alcohol was exacerbated by his military service; that through a strong family support system, he has been sober for the past 6 years; and that he is now trying to give back to his country through volunteerism and gain pride by assisting his son in establishing a foundation for a military career through the Sea Cadet Program.

NEW EVIDENCE OR INFORMATION:  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in a memorandum prepared to reflect the Board's original consideration of his case on 5 October 1988 (COPY ATTACHED).

The applicant did not submit any new evidence except for a personal statement in which he contends that his alcoholism was aggravated by his military service.  His statement gives the implication that his alcoholism may have also been a contributing factor to his misconduct and discharge under other than honorable conditions.

Review of the Army Discharge Review Board decision of 27 March 1985 that denied his request for discharge upgrade and a review of the Board’s denial decision of 8 December 1988 that also denied his request for discharge upgrade revealed no indication of alcohol abuse as a factor in his 149 days of AWOL which was the basis for his voluntary acceptance of a discharge under other than honorable conditions in lieu of being tried by court-martial for his AWOL.

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

1.  The Board certainly commends the applicant’s effort to recognize and seek rehabilitation from alcohol abuse however, there was nothing in the evidence of record or evidence submitted by him to indicate that his problem with alcohol, discovered nearly 11 years after his separation from service, was a contributing factor to his AWOL misconduct and discharge under other than honorable conditions.

2.  The overall merits of the case, including the latest submissions and arguments are insufficient as a basis for the Board to reverse its previous decision.

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

__RO___  __CA____  __KF___  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015560	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19991109	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(UOTHC)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19800605	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	IN LIEU OF TRIAL BY COURT-MARTIAL	
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.