RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 26 February 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070015257 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. Ms. Catherine C. Mitrano Director Mr. Dean L. Turnbull Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Ms. Linda D. Simmons Chairperson Ms. LaVerne M. Douglas Member Mr. John G. Heck Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, that his Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of BNC and the narrative reason for separation on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be corrected to show they are favorable. 2. The applicant states that his unfavorable separation has limited his potential as a citizen and has eliminated his ability to serve in the Florida Army National Guard. He is physically able to serve his country as an Army National Guard Soldier; however, the separation code is preventing him from doing so. He respects the Army Discharge Review Board’s (ADRB’s) decision, but the offense he was accused of over 13 years ago was minor and he has paid the price for his immature decision. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his ADRB case decision. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant's military service records show that he was appointed as a Reserve Commissioned Officer of the United States Army in the rank of second lieutenant on 3 May 1985. He entered active duty on 25 September 1987 and continued to serve on active duty through a series of assignments as a U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) officer. 2. On 1 May 1991, the applicant was promoted as a Reserve Commissioned Officer to the rank of captain. 3. The applicant's military service records show that he received an Administrative Memorandum of Reprimand for being involved in a verbal altercation with a service member's wife, which escalated into a physical altercation. The altercation took place at the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) Movie Theater, Berchtesgaden, Germany on 1 June 1993. 4. Message 0212362 May 96 with the Subject: Resign ILO Elimination, from the Commander, Personnel Command, Alexandria, Virginia, states that the applicant had requested to resign his commission in lieu of elimination action taken against him and that the request was approved. 5. In the message it was directed that the applicant would receive an honorable discharge for misconduct, moral or professional, and that the discharge would be completed not later than 14 days. On 9 May 1996, the applicant acknowledged receipt of the message. 6. The applicant's discharge packet was not included in his records. However, his DD Form 214 shows that he received an honorable discharge on   31 May 1996, with a SPD code of BNC, which is assigned to individuals who are discharged for unacceptable conduct. He had completed a total of 8 years,   8 months, and 6 days of active federal service. 7. The applicant applied to the ADRB to change the narrative reason for his discharge on 10 January 2005. On 28 September 2005, ADRB reviewed the applicant's record and determined that his discharge was proper and equitable. Therefore, ADRB presumed regularity in the discharge process. On that basis the applicant’s request to change the narrative reason for his discharge was denied. 8. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator), Table 2-2, states that the SPD code BNC denotes resignation, unacceptable conduct. 9. Army Regulation 600-8-24 (Officer Transfers and Discharges), chapter   4, establishes policy and prescribes procedures for eliminating officers in the Active Army for substandard performance of duty, misconduct, moral or professional dereliction, and in the interests of national security. It states, in pertinent part, that an officer identified for elimination may at any time during or prior to the final action in the elimination case, elect to submit a resignation in lieu of elimination. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends that his SPD code of BNC and the narrative reason for his separation should be corrected to allow him to enlist in the Florida Army National Guard. 2. There is no evidence or indication that there was an error or injustice, which caused the applicant to be discharged for unacceptable conduct. The evidence shows the applicant was involved in an altercation with a service member's wife, which is a cause for elimination. 3. The applicant was assigned the proper SPD of BNC, which denotes resignation, unacceptable conduct. The code and the reason for separation remains valid. Since the applicant was properly discharged, there is no reason to change his SPD code and the reason for separation. 4. The ABCMR does not grant requests for upgrade of discharges solely for the purpose of making the applicant eligible for enlisting into the Army National Guard. 5. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must satisfactorily show, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit sufficient evidence that would satisfy this requirement. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING __LDS__ __LMD_ _ __JGH__ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ____Linda D. Simmons__ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR SUFFIX RECON DATE BOARDED 20080226 TYPE OF DISCHARGE DATE OF DISCHARGE DISCHARGE AUTHORITY DISCHARGE REASON BOARD DECISION (NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS) REVIEW AUTHORITY ISSUES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.