ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 27 June 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180015169 APPLICANT REQUESTS: an upgrade of his under other than honorable conditions discharge APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) * Burke County Veterans Service Officer coversheet * Two character statements 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, in effect, a. At the time of his misconduct, he was 20 years old and did not realize the impact of his actions. He now realizes that he made a big mistake and he does not want to spend the rest of his life paying for something he did when he was young. b. Prior to him being absent without leave (AWOL), he had just gotten married. His wife was having a hard time adjusting, trying to manage the finances and take care of the house. She appeared to be in a crisis and was asking him for additional support. So, he felt compelled to go home to help through her emotional crisis. He wanted to do the right thing, so he went back to post and turned himself in. 3. The applicant provides: two character statements, written by personal friends, which attest to his moral and religious beliefs, his loving demeanor, and the fact that he is an outstanding citizen. 4. A review of the applicant's service record shows: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 27 September 1977. b. His duty status changed as follows: * From present for duty (PDY) to absent without leave (AWOL), effective 4 March 1980 * From AWOL to dropped from the rolls (DFR), effective 1 April 1980 * From DFR to PDY, effective 22 May 1980 c. DD Form 458 (Charge Sheet), dated 28 May 1980, shows court-martial charges were preferred against the applicant for one specification of being absent without leave from 4 March to 22 May 1980. d. On 28 May 1980, the applicant consulted with legal counsel. He was advised of the basis for the contemplated trial by court-martial, the maximum permissible punishment authorized under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the possible effects of an under other than honorable conditions discharge, and the procedures and rights that were available to him. Subsequent to receiving legal counsel, he voluntarily requested discharge under the provision of Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 (Personnel Separations - Enlisted Personnel), chapter 10, for the good of the service. In his request for discharge, he acknowledged his understanding that: * by requesting discharge, he was admitting guilt to the charge against him, or of a lesser included offense that also authorized the imposition of an under other than honorable conditions discharge * he acknowledged he understood that if his discharge request was accepted he could be deprived of many or all Army benefits, he could be ineligible for many or all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration, and he could be deprived of his rights and benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws * he was advised he could submit any statements he desired in his own behalf; he did not submit any statements e. The separation authority approved the applicant's request for discharge on 10 June 1980, under the provisions of AR 635-200, chapter 10, for the good of the service, and directed that he be reduced to the lowest enlisted grade and discharged under other than honorable conditions. He completed 2 years, 6 months and 16 days of active service and had lost time from 4 March to 21 May 1980. His DD Form 214 also shows in: * Item 26 (Separation Code) - JFS * Item 27 (Reenlistment Code) - 3, 3B * Item 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) - Administrative Discharge - conduct triable by court-martial 5. AR 635-200 (Personnel Separations - Enlisted Personnel) provides, a member who has committed an offense for which the authorized punishment includes a punitive discharge may submit a request for discharge in lieu of trial by court-martial. The request may be submitted at any time after charges have been preferred and must include the individual's admission of guilt. Although an honorable or general discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate. 6. The Board should consider the applicant's submissions in accordance with the published equity, injustice, or clemency determination guidance. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined relief is not warranted. The applicant’s contentions and letters of support 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 evidence of post-service achievements for the Board to consider. Based upon the record of misconduct, the Board agreed that the applicant's discharge characterization was warranted. 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), sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. a. Paragraph 3-7a provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law. The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the member’s service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate. b. Paragraph 3-7b provides that a general discharge is a separation from the Army under honorable conditions. When authorized, it is issued to a Soldier whose military record is satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge. c. Chapter 10 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, that a member who has committed an offense or offenses for which the authorized punishment includes a punitive discharge may, submit a request for discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial. The request may be submitted at any time after charges have been preferred and must include the individual's admission of guilt. Although an honorable or general discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate. 3. On 25 July 2018, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness issued guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records (BCM/NRs) regarding equity, injustice, or clemency determinations. Clemency generally refers to relief specifically granted from a criminal sentence. BCM/NRs may grant clemency regardless of the type of court-martial. However, the guidance applies to more than clemency from a sentencing in a court-martial; it also applies to other corrections, including changes in a discharge, which may be warranted based on equity or relief from injustice. This guidance does not mandate relief, but rather provides standards and principles to guide Boards in application of their equitable relief authority. In determining whether to grant relief based on equity, injustice, or clemency grounds, BCM/NRs shall consider the prospect for rehabilitation, external evidence, sworn testimony, policy changes, relative severity of misconduct, mental and behavioral health conditions, official governmental acknowledgement that a relevant error or injustice was committed, and uniformity of punishment. Changes to the narrative reason for discharge and/or an upgraded character of service granted solely on equity, injustice, or clemency grounds normally should not result in separation pay, retroactive promotions, and payment of past medical expenses or similar benefits that might have been received if the original discharge had been for the revised reason or had the upgraded service characterization. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180015169 4 1