Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/04/02 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The Applicant states that he only received one Article 15, didn't have any other derrogatory information in his service record, and earned awards while serving. He was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and received an Honorable Discharge from the ARNG, he wants to finish his service and be able to retire from the Army. 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: Not In File (NIF) Discharge Received: Date: 070417 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Serious Offense) RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: E Co, 629th MI Bn, Fort Dix, NJ Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 38 Current ENL Date: OAD 060118 Current ENL Term: 00 Years 478 days Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 03Mos, 00Days ????? Total Service: 09 Yrs, 11Mos, 14Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 901201-910521/GD ARNG 000217-070417/UOTH OAD 011006-021011/HD OAD 040306-041118/HD Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 11B10/Infantryman GT: 107 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Cuba Combat: None Decorations/Awards: AAM, ARCAM, NDSM-2, GWOTSM, GWOTEM, HSM, ASR, OSR, AFRM-4 V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Philadelphia, PA Post Service Accomplishments: None listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The facts and circumstances pertaining to the applicant’s discharge from the Army are not contained in the available records. However, the record contains a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant. The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, paragraph 12c by reason of misconduct (serious offense), with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JKQ (i.e., misconduct- serious offense). The Applicant submitted with his application, a copy of commander's recommendation for his discharge dated 3 April 2007, that indicates that he was being discharged for larceny. Additionally, the record indicates that Orders 124-220, dated 4 May 2007, HQS, Maryland ARNG, Baltimore, MD, discharged the applicant from the ARNG effective 17 April 2007, with an under other than honorable conditions characterization of service and a reentry code of “3.” The record contains a CID Report dated 15 March 2007. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. It states that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor, and is appropriate when the quality of the Soldier’s service is so meritorious that any other characterization would be inappropriate. 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 all the applicant’s military records, and issues and documents submitted with the application, the analyst determined that the applicant’s available record of service during the period of enlistment under review is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to the discharge from the Army. However, the applicant’s record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature. This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and the analyst presumed Government regularity in the discharge process. The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, AR 635-200, paragraph 12c by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense, with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. Barring evidence to the contrary, the analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant’s issue that his discharge was caused by an isolated and single incident, however, the applicable Army regulation states that there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by a single incident provides the basis for a characterization. The chain of command would have determined that the applicant's single incident of misconduct did indeed adversely affect the quality of service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. This single incident of misconduct would have diminished the quality of the applicant's service below that meriting a fully honorable or general discharge. Additionally, the analyst determined that the applicant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) does not contain all the specific documents that would indicate the reason for the separation action from the United States Army. If the applicant desires to appear before a personal appearance Board, the burden of proof remains with him to provide the appropriate documents or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board’s reconsideration. At the time of discharge, the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “3.” If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact the local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Those individuals can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the applicant's characterization of service and reason for discharge were proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 30 January 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA 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 XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 1 No change 4 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080005089 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages