Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/07/09 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states "I was discharged for reasons that I had already been punished for. I had received E-grade reduction just months before my discharge for the same reason of discharge. I had not been in any trouble after my grade reduction. I had filed a sexual harrassment EEO complaint and feel that it may have played a part in my being asked to leave the military. I have since the military been in school and have recieved my AS in Medical Billing and Coding and is currently working on my BA in Health Information Management with the intent to graduate in May 2010. Upon completion of school I intend on applying for jobs to include federal employment and I do not want "Under Honorable Conditions (General)" to hinder my success by preconcieved notions and perceptions. I am a changed person on the road to success with a family. So I hope to have this changed to help me on my pathway to success." 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: 031215 Discharge Received: Date: 040218 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: Medical Company, US Army Medical Department Activity, Fort Benning, GA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 030603; disrespectful in language and deportment toward MSG, a noncommissioned officer on or about 030507; reduction to Private First Class (E-3); forfeiture of $356.00 pay suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before 031203; extra duty for 14 days (CG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: Reenl/010801 Current ENL Term: 3 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 6 Mos, 18 Days ????? Total Service: 5 Yrs, 7 Mos, 9 Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 980710-010731/HD Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 91G10 Patient Administrative Spec GT: 98 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea (91123-010121) prior service Combat: None Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, NCOPDR, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states that she has earned her AS in Medical Billing and Coding and is currently working on a BA in Health Information Management with the intent to graduate in May 2010. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 7 October 2003, 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 received a Article 15 for insubordination, repeated occurrences for domestic violence and repeated occurrances for indebtedness, 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 submitted a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. On 3 February 2004, 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. The record contains a Military Police Report dated 17 December 2002. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records, and the issue submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The analyst determined that 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 the 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. The analyst noted the applicant's issue that a sexual harrassment complaint she filed played a part in her being asked to leave the military. The the analyst 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. The analyst congratulates the applicant on her work achievements since departing the Army. However, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. Further, the record shows that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Misconduct” and the separation code is "JKA." 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. Therefore, 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: 26 May 2010 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: N/A Witnesses/Observers: N/A Exhibits Submitted: None 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: No Change Other: No Change RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No Change Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090011462 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages