Application Receipt Date: 060405 Prior Review Prior Review Date: None I. Applicant Request Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Yes No Tender Offer: ????? See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Original Character of Discharge Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 990506 Discharge Received: Date: 990701 Chapter: 14 AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: B Trp 1st Sqdn 16th CAV Fort Knox, KY 40121 Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 990303-wrongfully used metamphetamine, d-methamphetamine, and marijuana, (081130), (FG). Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record DOB: 740719 Current ENL Date: 970826 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 10 Mos, 05 Days ????? Total Service: 07 Yrs, 04 Mos, 29 Days ????? Previous Discharges: USAR-920203-920720/NA IADT-920721-941214/UNC USAR-941215- 950718/NA RA-950719-970825/HD Highest Grade: E5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 19K10 M1 Armor Crewman GT: 112 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: AAM (2), AGCM, NDSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity Home of Record: Current Address: Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states he is now married with three children, and an active member of the [ Redacted ] Baptist Church. He further states he is a leader in his church's [ redacted ] program for youth ages 8 to 11, and the lighting director for their church services and special events. He concludes by stating he is currently employed with Nuvox communications and enrolled in classes at [ redacted ] Institute. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that on 6 May 1999, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—commission of a serious offense (he tested positive for THC, methamphetamine, and d-methamphetamine on 30 November 1998, which ultimately resulted in him receiving a Field Grade Article 15), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action. On 13 May 1999, the applicant voluntarily wavied consideration of his case by an administrative separation board contingent upon receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than a general, under honorable conditions discharge, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 27 May 1999, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged 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 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, but a general discharge under honorable conditions or an honorable discharge may be granted. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issue and documents he submitted. The analyst noted that the unit commander used “Board Procedures” when notifying the applicant that he was initiating action to separate him under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct. By using “Board Procedures” the authority for approval of the applicant’s separation rested with the General Court-Martial Convening Authority. The evidence of record shows that someone other than the General Court-Martial Convening Authority approved the applicant’s discharge. In view of the foregoing, the discharge was improper. Accordingly, relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable and a change to the narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority is recommended to the Board. This action does not entail a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code; however, the Board can consider it. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 070214 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Decision The discharge was: Proper Improper Equitable Inequitable The characterization of service was: Proper Improper Equitable Inequitable The narrative reasons were: Equitable Inequitable DRB voting record: Change No change (Character) Change No change (Reason) (Board member names available upon request) IX. 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 improper. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable and a change to the narrative reason for separation to Secretarial Authority. This action does not entail a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code. Case report reviewed and verified by: Mr. Kenneth McFarley, Examiner X. Board Action Directed No Change Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: Secretarial Authority under provisions of Chapter 5, AR 635-200. Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None XI. Certification Signature and Date Approval Authority: ROBERT L. HOUSE Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board Official: MARY E. SHAW DATE: 070216 Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, Secretary Recorder ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20060004870 Applicant Name: Mr. ______________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 5 pages