Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/05/12 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 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: 081010 Discharge Received: Date: 081113 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Pattern of Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: HQ & HQ Company, 10th Brigade Support Batalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Forward Operating Base Warrior, Iraq, APO, AE. Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 080902; Failed to go to her appointed place of duty on or about 080819; violated a lawful general order by by wrongfully consuming an alcoholic beverage while in the MNC-I AOR between on or about 080818 and on or about 080819; reduction to Private (E-1); forfeiture of $673.00 pay per month for two months; extra duty and restriction for 45 days, with an Oral Reprimand (FG) Article 15; 071013, Wrongfully used cocaine between on or about 070820-070823; reduction to Private (E-1); forfeiture of $650.00 per month for 2 months; extra duty and restriction for 45 days, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before 10 April 2008, and an Oral Reprimand (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: Reenl/080813 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 0 Yrs, 3Mos, 1 Days ????? Total Service: 2 Yrs, 4 Mos, 18 Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 060626-080812/HD Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 25U10 Signal Support Systems Spec GT: 109 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Iraq (070904-081220) Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR, ICMDLw/1 Bronz Service Star V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 3 October 2008, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of a pattern of misconduct; in that she violated MND-N GO1, by wrongfully consuming an alcoholic beverage while in the MNC-I AOR; on or about 080819; failed to go at the time prescribed to her appointed place of duty on or about 080819; and between on or about 070820 and on or about 070823, she wrongfully used cocaine, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. She was advised of her rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in her 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 12 October 2008, 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, the issue and supporting 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 applicant'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 her 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. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue and found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. 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. Further, the analyst considered the applicant’s quality of service during the initial portion of the enlistment under review. However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently meritorious to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service 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: 18 February Location: Washington, DC 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 AR20090009550 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages