Application Receipt Date: 060411 Prior Review Prior Review Date: None I. Applicant Request Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant stated, "So I can get a better job or have more job opportunities." 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: 970828 Discharge Received: Date: 971107 Chapter: 14 AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: Alpha Forward Support Company, 528th Special Operations Support Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC 28307 Time Lost: Confinement 37 days/the applicant was confined at Camp Lejeune from (970317-970610). Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): Special Court-Martial on 970527/Wrongfull use of cocaine between (960922 and 960926). Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record DOB: 670318 Current ENL Date: 960910 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 1 Mos, 27 Days ????? Total Service: 8 Yrs, 8 Mos, 14 Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA-890117-920512/HD RA-920512-960909/HD Highest Grade: E-5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 88M1P, Motor Transport Operator GT: 94 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Haiti Combat: None Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM, GCM (2), NDSM, AFEM, NCOPDR, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity Home of Record: Current Address: Post Service Accomplishments: None were submitted. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that on 21 August 1997, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—commission of a serious offense/abuse of illegal drugs (he tested positive for cocaine), 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, requested consideration of his case by an Administrative Separation Board, 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. On 17 October 1997, the Administrative Separation Board met; applicant appeared with counsel. The Administrative Separation Board recommended that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of general, under honorable conditions. On 18 October 1997, the separation authority considered all the material presented, the recommendation of the Administrative Separation Board, and his Staff Judge Advocate, 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, commission of a serious offense, convictions by civil authorities, desertion or absence without leave. Action will be taken to separate a member for misconduct when it is clearly established that rehabilitation is impracticable or is 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, and the issue he submitted, the analyst found that the evidence was not sufficiently mitigating to warrant an upgrade of the discharge under review. 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. Therefore, the analyst found that the characterization of service and the reason for discharge were both proper and equitable and recommends the Board vote to deny relief in this case. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 14 February 2007 Location: Washington, D.C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: N/A Witnesses/Observers: N/A Exhibits Submitted: N/A 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 both proper and equitable, and voted not to change it. Case report reviewed and verified by: Mr. John Zangas, Examiner X. Board Action Directed No Change Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: None Other: None 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: 16 February 2007 Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, Secretary Recorder ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20060005297 Applicant Name: Mr. ______________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 5 pages