Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/05/12 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states in effect that during his service he was not aware of his metnal condition. He was diagnosed with PTSD on 21 October 2008. He requests that the Board consider that he is a Purple Heart Recipient. 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: 080930 Discharge Received: Date: 081020 Chapter: 14-12c AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct, (Serious Offense) RE: SPD: JKQ Unit/Location: C Co, 1-504th PIR, 1st BCT, Ft Bragg, NC Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 080408, with the intent to deceive sign an official document and make a false official statement (080321); reduction to E1, forfeiture of $670 pay for two months and extra duty for 30 days (FG). 080819, wrongful previous overindulgence in intoxicating liquor (080819); 14 days extra duty and 14 days restriction (SUMM). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 050623 Current ENL Term: 5 Years 19 weeks Current ENL Service: 3 Yrs, 03Mos, 28Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 03Mos, 28Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 11B1P Infantryman GT: NIF EDU: HS Grad Overseas: SWA Combat: Iraq (070104-080404), date taken from his award Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, CIB V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: El Paso, TX 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 30 September 2008 , 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 falsifying a DA Form 31 and wrongful previous overindulgence in intoxicating liquor, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 30 September 2008, the applicant waived his right to legal counsel and did not submit 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 6 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. The applicant's file contains a Serious Incident Report where he was arrested for using an air-pellet gun to assault an individual and then fled the scene causing damage to property on 080321. 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. 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 acknowledges the applicant's diagnosis of PTSD outlined in the documents with his application. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. The analyst concluded that just because someone is suffering from PTSD does not mean that they don't know the difference between right and wrong or that they do not have control over their behavior. There are many Soldiers with the same condition that complete their service successfully. 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: 9 June 2010 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: The applicant submits his VA Rating Decision dated 2 February 2010 (14 pages) and his 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 1 No change 4 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 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 AR20100014878 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages