ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  5 September 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170014043


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  review of his general, under honorable condition discharge

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record).

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states he is applying for verification of his character of service at discharge.  When attempting to use the online post-exchange services, he is informed of not being eligible.  To qualify for participation in the Veterans online shopping benefit, you must have a discharge status of honorable or general, under honorable conditions on file with the Defense Manpower Data Center.  

3.  The applicant’s service records shows:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 18 June 1996.

	b.  He served in Korea from 12 November 1996 to 8 November 1997.  He received credit for completion of a short tour.

	c.  He was separated under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), Chapter 14-12b, for patterns of misconduct as a private/(E-2).  He was issued a General Discharge Certificate with a characterization of service under honorable conditions.

	d.  His DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows he completed 3 years, 1 month, and 22 days of active service.  It also shows he was awarded or authorized the:

* Army Service Ribbon
* Overseas Service Ribbon
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16)

3.  According to the Military One Source website (https://www.militaryonesource.mil), all honorably discharged Veterans are able to make online purchases from military exchange services, effective 11 November 2017.

4.  Defense Manpower Data Center serves under the Office of the Secretary of Defense to collate personnel, manpower, training, financial, and other data for the Department of Defense. This data catalogues the history of personnel in the military and their family for purposes of healthcare, retirement funding, and other administrative needs.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined relief is not warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  The Board applied Department of Defense standards of liberal consideration to the complete evidentiary record and did not find any evidence of error, injustice, or inequity.  He did not provide character witness statements or evidence of post-service achievements for the Board to consider.  He was discharged for a pattern of misconduct and was provided an Under Honorable Conditions (General) characterization of service.  The Board agreed that the applicant's discharge characterization is warranted as he did not meet the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel.

BOARD VOTE:
Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

X	X	X	DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
	 
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), in effect at the time, prescribed policies and procedures for the administrative separation of enlisted personnel.  

	a.  Paragraph 3-7a (Honorable Discharge) stated an honorable discharge was a separation with honor.  The honorable characterization was appropriate when the quality of the Soldier's service generally met the standards of acceptable conduct and duty performance.

	b.  Paragraph 3-7b a (General Discharge) stated a separation from the Army under honorable conditions.  When authorized, it was issued to a Soldier whose military record was satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge.

3.  According to Military One Source, you can shop at the exchange if you’re in one of these groups:
* Uniformed-service members (active, reserve or retired)
* All honorably discharged veterans (at online exchanges) as of 11 November 2017
* Medal of Honor recipients
* Department of Defense civilian employees stationed outside the United States
* Authorized family members
* National Guard members not in federal status
* Military members of foreign nations
* Survivors
4.  Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) serves under the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OUSD) to collate personnel, manpower, training, financial, and other data for the Department of Defense (DoD). This data catalogues the history of personnel in the military and their family for purposes of healthcare, retirement funding, and other administrative needs. The mission of DMDC can be summarized as follows:

* We collect and maintain an archive of automated manpower, personnel, training, and other databases for the Department of Defense
* We support the information requirements of the OUSD for Personnel & Readiness (P&R) and other members of the DoD manpower, personnel, and training communities with accurate, timely, and consistent data
* We operate DoD-wide personnel programs and conduct research and analysis as directed by the OUSD P&R. 


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170014043


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