Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/04/12 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states: "I have regretted and wished that I had made better decisions while I was in the Army. I will admit that I was young and naive. Since my discharge I have continually worked at being a productive citizen. I have never been arrested or have had any negative actions brought upon me since I was discharged. I am still married to the same soldier I had met while I was in the Army. He is now a wonderful SFC. I have obtained an AA degree and I am currently working on my BSM. I am currently on Leave without Pay because we PCS'd from [ redacted ] to [ redacted ] [ redacted ]. Prior to that I have worked for the Department of Defense [ redacted ]. I would like a discharge change because I would like to re-enlist into the Army as an Officer and to be able to claim Veteran Preference when applying for jobs." II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: N/A See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 000404 Discharge Received: Date: 000502 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: 63rd Chemical Company, Fort Campbell, KY Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 000128, with intent to deceive, made false official statements (990901-991203); and feigned pregnancy in order to avoid field maneuvers (990901-991203); reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $502 per month for two months, extra duty for 45 days 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: 20 Current ENL Date: 980825 Current ENL Term: 3 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 8Mos, 8Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 4Mos, 20Days ????? Previous Discharges: IADT-970303-970718/HD (ARNG Contract for earlier service is not in the file.) Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 54B10/Chem Opns Spc GT: 94 EDU: GED Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Fort Hood, Texas Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states that she has obtained an AA degree and is currently working on a BSM. The applicant doesn't supply any documents to support her accomplishments. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 3 April 2000, 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 submitting false official documents, for making numerous false official statements, and for malingering, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. She was advised of her rights. On 4 April 2000, 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 Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed action and recommended approval of the separation with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 24 April 2000, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed 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 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 submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The analyst determined that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By her 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 her service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. The applicant states that she was young and naïve. The analyst noted that the applicant met entrance qualification standards to include age. There is no evidence that the applicant was any less mature than other Soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service. The applicant states that she would like an upgrade to her discharge in order to re-enter the Army as an officer and to be able to claim Veteran's Preference when applying for jobs. The analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The Applicant contends that since leaving the Army, she has been a productive citizen and has never been arrested or had any negative actions brought against her. She states that she has obtained an Associate's Degree. The Army Discharge Review Board is authorized to consider post-service factors in the recharacterization of a discharge. However, there is no law or regulation, which provides an unfavorable discharge may be upgraded based solely on the passage of time or good conduct in civilian life subsequent to leaving the service. Outstanding post-service conduct, to the extent such matters provide a basis for a more thorough understanding of the Applicant’s performance and conduct during the period of service under review, is considered during Board proceedings. The Board reviews each discharge on a case-by-case basis to determine if post-service accomplishments help demonstrate previous in-service misconduct was an aberration and not indicative of the member’s overall character. The analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life and noted the many accomplishments outlined 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. Hence, the analyst determined 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: 22 February 2011 Location: Dallas, Texas Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: N/A Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 214 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: N/A 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 AR20100012718 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 pages