Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/11/21 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, "An upgrade is requested so I can move on with my civilian life and have confidence when I apply for job. I realized my mistakes I made with alcohol in the Army, and want to be forgiven. It's been 4 years. I need to move on with my life." II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 071114 Discharge Received: Date: 071207 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Pattern of Misconduct) RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: Rear Detachment, 4th Battalion, 64 Armor Regiment, Brigade, 3d Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia Time Lost: The record notes a period of military confinement of 25 days; however, it is not noted on the DD 214. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 071018, disobeying a superior commissioned officer (x2); disrespect to a superior noncommissioned officer; reduced to E-1; forfeiture of $867 pay for one month; to be confined for 25 days; (summary). Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 29 Current ENL Date: 060531 Current ENL Term: 6 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 6 Mos, 7 Days ????? Total Service: 4 Yrs, 0 Mos, 17 Days ????? Previous Discharges: 031120 - 060530/HD Highest Grade: E-5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 63H10, Tracked Vehicle Mechanic GT: 12 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (051118 - 061106) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM, NDSM, ICM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, ASR, PUC V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 14 November 2007, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct, for being convicted at a summary court-martial for disobeying a superior commissioned officer (x2) and disrespect to a noncommissioned officer, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 14 November 2007, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, unconditionally waived his right to an administrative separation board (was not entitled) and submitted a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed action and recommended approval of the separation with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 20 November 2007, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed the applicant's discharge with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 14 of this regulation 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 absence 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. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of the applicant’s available military records, the issues and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The analyst determined 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. By his misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. 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. The record does not support the applicant’s contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted by the applicant, that the discharge was the result of any medical or alcohol-related condition. The analyst acknowledges that it has been four years since the applicant's discharge; and the applicant's desire to move forward in his civilian life as outlined in his application. However, there is no law or regulation, which provides an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in the civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, is considered during Board proceedings. The Board reviews each discharge on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate previous in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character. Additionally, the analyst noted the applicant's issue of having confidence when he applies for employment; however, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. Therefore, the analyst determined the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 18 May 2012 Location: Washington, D. C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: None Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293, DD Form 215 and a DD Form 214 VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. IX. Board Decision Board Vote: Character - Change 0 No change 5 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) X. Board Action Directed Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA XI. Certification Signature Approval Authority: ARCHIE L. DAVIS III Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board BONITA E. TROTMAN Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army Secretary Recorder Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20110022973 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 pages