Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/04/03 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: 980114 Discharge Received: Date: 980403 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: 565th Med Co, 115th Field Hosp, Hqs Cmd (Warrior Brigade), Fort Polk, LA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 29 Current ENL Date: 951005 Current ENL Term: 2 Years Extended for 22 months on 960131 Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 05Mos, 28Days ????? Total Service: 11 Yrs, 02Mos, 29Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 930406-951004/HD USARCG 900226-930405/NA RA 870301-900225/HD Highest Grade: E-5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 91B10/Medical Specialist GT: 112 EDU: HS GRAD Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM (4), AFSM, ASR, OSR (2), NM, EFMB V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The record indicates that the applicant attended college and served an enlistment with the ARNG. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 14 January 1998, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—commission of a serious offense for on or about November 1996, fraternizing with a PFC, which resulted in her pregnancy, and the subsequent birth of a child on 17 July 1997, with an under other than honorable condition discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 20 June 1998 the applicant consulted with legal counsel and requested consideration of his case by an administrative separation board. The applicant did not submit a statement on his own behalf. On 10 February 1998, the applicant was notified to appear before an administrative separation board and advised of his rights. On 6 March 1998, the administrative separation board convened. The applicant appeared with counsel. The board recommended that the applicant be discharged with issuance of a character of service of under other than honorable conditions. On 20 March 1998, the separation authority approved the recommendation of the administrative separation board and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. 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 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 applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of the former Soldier’s service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By the misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of 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. The analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life and noted the many accomplishments outlined with the application and in the documents with the application. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. Further, 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 characterization of service and reason for discharge were both proper and equitable, and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 15 January 2010 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 characterization of service was too harsh and as a result it is inequitable, based on the overall length and quality of the applicant's service, as well as his post service achievements in education and medical service. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to general, under honorable conditions. The Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 4 No change 1 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: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090007569 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages