Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/08/11 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and supporting documents submitted by the Applicant. 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: 001005 Chapter: 15-3b AR: 635-200 Reason: Homosexual Admission RE: SPD: JRB Unit/Location: C Trp, 15th Cavalry, Fort Knox, KY 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: 19 Current ENL Date: IADT 000508 Current ENL Term: NIF Years ????? Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 04Mos, 28Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 09Mos, 08Days ????? Previous Discharges: ARNG (concurrent service), dates NIF Highest Grade: E-1 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: NIF EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: None V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Hillsboro, TX Post Service Accomplishments: None listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The specific facts and circumstances leading to the applicant’s discharge from the Army are not contained in the available records. However, the 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. The DD Form 214 indicates that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual admission with an uncharacterized separation of service. Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JRB (i.e., homosexual admission), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of 4. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 15 of that regulation states that active homosexuality is incompatible with military service and provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of members who actively engage in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrate a tendency to engage in homosexual conduct. The Army regulation states that when the sole basis for separation is homosexuality, a discharge under other than honorable conditions may be issued only if such characterization is warranted in accordance with chapter 3, section III, and if there is a finding that during the current term of service the soldier attempted, solicited, or committed a homosexual act by using force, coercion or intimidation; with a person under 16 years of age; with a subordinate in circumstances that violate customary military superior subordinate relationships; openly in public view; for compensation; aboard a military vessel or aircraft; or in another location subject to military control if the conduct had, or was likely to have had, an adverse impact on discipline, good order, or morale due to the close proximity of other soldiers of the Armed Forces. In all other cases, the type of discharge will reflect the character of the soldier’s overall record of service. When the Regular Army Soldier is in entry level status, which is defined as the first 180 days of continuous AD or the first 180 days of continuous AD following a break of more than 92 days of active military service the service will be uncharacterized. 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 submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The analyst noted that the applicant was in an entry level status (ELS) at the time the unit commander initiated separation action under the provisions of Chapter 15, AR 635-200 by reason of homosexual admission. A Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. Furthermore, for Soldiers in entry-level status, a fully honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The analyst determined that no such unusual circumstances were present in the applicant’s record and the former soldier’s service did not warrant an honorable discharge. Additionally, the analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 15, Paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Separation for Homosexual Admission” and the separation code is "JRB." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. The Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 20 May 2009 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 0 No change 5 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 AR20080012827 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages