Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/04/29 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: Applicant states: "My discharge was inqquitable because it was based on one isolated incident in 48 months of service with no other adverse action. At the time of my incident, I was the Soldier of the Quarter and the Soldier of the Month. My leadership were very proud of me and my peers looked to me as a mentor. I believe I served my country Honorably and only wish for my DD 214 to reflect that. Thanks you for your consideration." 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: 060525 Discharge Received: Date: 060706 Chapter: 14-12c(2) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (Drug Abuse) RE: SPD: JKK Unit/Location: CAC Fort Leavenworth, KS Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): Unit Commander's separation letter indicates the applicant received a FG Article 15 for wrongfully using cocaine and possessing drug paraphernalia. Punishment consisted of reduction to E-3, forfeiture of $500.00 pay per month for 1 month, 45 days extra duty (suspended until, if not vacated or remitted before 060401). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 051013 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 3 Yrs, 11Mos, 6Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 11Mos, 6Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA 020801-051012 HD immediate reenlistment Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 31P1P/MW Sys Opr Maint GT: 109 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea (030610 - 040802) Combat: None Decorations/Awards: AAM, AGCM, NDSM, GWTSM, KDSM, ASR, OSR, V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Fort Hood, TX Post Service Accomplishments: None provided by applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 16 May 2006, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12c(2), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct—for wrongful use of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 25 May 2006, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army 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 20 June 2006, 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 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 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 the misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of the former Soldier’s service below that meriting a fully honorable discharge. Furthermore, the analyst noted that even though a single incident, the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army. The applicable Army regulation states that there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by a single incident provides the basis for a characterization. The analyst having examined all the circumstances determined that the applicant's single incident of misconduct did indeed adversely affect the quality of service, brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. This single incident of misconduct clearly diminished the quality of the applicant's 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. Therefore, 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. The applicant submitted five documents in support of the personal appearance hearing. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 22 February 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DA Form 7096 (060524), Five statements of support for retention from applicant's leadership. VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review, hearing his testimony 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: ????? RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: ????? 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 AR20100014022 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages