PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           24 June 1999     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC86-02161A
				   AR1999016338

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

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. L. L. Harrison		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Gary C. Miller		Member	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests a reconsideration of his previous application to correct his records by upgrading his discharge to honorable.  He states that he was not given any treatment for alcoholism and that his misconduct was caused by alcoholism.  He relates that he has been in recovery for 13 years.  He also contends in effect, that his post-service conduct warrants an upgrade of his discharge. 

3.  Incorporated herein by reference is the memorandum of consideration reflecting the Board’s 24 June 1987 review of the applicant’s 1962 discharge.

4.  The applicant’s military records show several witnesses at the Board of Officers indicated that the applicant’s troubles were caused by alcohol.  He got in trouble when he drank.  They also stated that he was a capable man on duty but off duty and under the influence of alcohol he had problems.  Applicant testified that the more he drank, the less control he had of himself and that all his difficulties came from drinking.  The records also show that he completed basic training, he was advanced to pay grade E-3 and completed approximately 1 year of service before his first offense of record.

5.  The applicant submits a statement outlining his personal history of post-service life after being discharged as an alcoholic.  He relates that his discharge started a shameful and embarrassing 23 year journey of heavy drinking.  The shame for his behavior remained unresolved until he completed his 4th and 5th Steps in Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12 Step program.  His humiliation was made worse because, in his youth, the leaders of his community had foreseen great promise in his abilities.  He slept in abandoned cars, parks and homeless shelters before he surrendered to his addiction while in a forced detoxification program in 1985.  He states his sobriety date is still 11 January 1985.  Since then his life has consisted of helping other suffering alcoholics and addicts.  He recently received his B.S. degree. 

6.  He includes five character reference letters in support of his contention that post-service factors warrant change in his discharge.  An undated letter from a friend who has known the applicant for approximately fifteen years, states that applicant has been a hard worker and he never gives up in working with alcoholics.  Another individual, who has known applicant since 1984, states they met at a Detox Program where the applicant had gone to get some help for his drinking problem.  The applicant is a hard working and caring person who has worked in the treatment field every since.  A letter dated 19 May 1999 from a co-worker states the applicant cares for others in a professional manner, is well respected and that he continues to attend both AA and NA meetings.  A letter dated 21 May 1999 states the applicant was her counselor during the time of her drug problem.  He was a very positive force in her recovery process and that he is very professional and competent.  A letter dated 24 May 1999 from a friend who has known applicant since 1992 though AA channels.  He states applicant is a very spiritual and a remarkable and deserving man. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s offenses appear to have all been alcohol related.  He had a reputation of being a good soldier, when he was sober.  While the Board does not believe that intoxication, even in an alcoholic, is an excuse for misconduct, the applicant’s case is remarkable, in that he seems to have responded appropriately when at last offered treatment for his addiction.

2.  In light of the facts that, despite his repeated drunken misconduct, the applicant completed 2 years, 10 months and 14 days of service, that disciplinary measures were then the only policy for dealing with soldiers with alcohol problems, and the applicant’s own post-service life in recovery from addiction has been dedicated to helping others, a change in the discharge is warranted.

3.  The applicant’s discharge should now be changed to general.

4.  In view of the foregoing, justice would now be served by correcting the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by voiding the undesirable discharge dated 30 April 1962 currently held by the individual concerned and by issuing him a general discharge of the same date.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

________  ________  ________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__RVO__  ___GCM_  ___CLG_   DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC86-02161A/AR199901638	
SUFFIX		
RECON	 	
DATE BOARDED	19990624 	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	UOTHC	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19620430	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-208. . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	A93.20	
2.	A51.00	
3.	A92.22	
4.		
5.		
6.