Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/06/16 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states in effect that he was wrongfully discharged, that he would like an upgrade of his discharge so that he may use his GI Bill benefits and that his chain of command did not allow him to go to a doctor to see if he needed surgery on his sinuses, and was not allowed to see his ASAP Counselor. 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: 090112 Discharge Received: Date: 090203 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Pattern of Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: B Btry, 4/319th Abn FA Regt, APO AE Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070501, Drunk on duty (070418), reduction to E2 (suspended); forfeiture of $333.00 pay per month for one month (suspended): extra duty for 14 days; and restriction for 14 days,(CG). 081003, Disobeying a lawful order from a commissioned officer (080919) and drunk on duty (080919), reduction to E2; reduction to E1 (suspended); forfeiture of $754.00 pay per month for two months (suspended), extra duty for 45 days; and restriction for 45 days, (FG). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 19 Current ENL Date: 060125 Current ENL Term: NIF Years ????? Current ENL Service: 03 Yrs, 00Mos, 09Days ????? Total Service: 03 Yrs, 00Mos, 09Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 13B10/Cannon Crewmember GT: 124 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Afghanistan (070511-080722) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, ACM, GWTOSM, ASR, OSR-2, NATOMDL V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states: "Since I've been discharged I have stopped drinking all together and I have been sober since February." VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that on 12 January 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12b, AR 635-200, by reason of pattern of misconduct for having disobeyed an order (080919) by wrongfully having a visitor in his barracks room after visiting hours, being drunk on duty (080919), disobeying an order (080918) by failing to obey the barracks visitation policy, and drunk on duty (070418), with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 20 January 2009, 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 service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 23 January 2009, 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 during the period of enlistment under review, the documents, and the issues he submitted, 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 his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By his 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 applicant contends that while in the Army's Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program his counselor thought he might have PTSD and he began to see a social worker. However, the record does not support the issue that the applicant suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and no evidence to support it has been submitted by the applicant, that the discharge was the result of any medical condition. The analyst noted the applicant's issue that he was wrongfully discharged, however, the evidence of record shows that the command attempted to assist the applicant in performing and conducting himself to Army standards by providing counseling and by the imposition of non-judicial punishment. The applicant failed to respond appropriately to these efforts. Furthermore, 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. Further, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the characterization of service and reason for discharge 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: 16 March 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293, self-authored letter (2 pages), Memorandum, dated 20 January 2009, and DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the term of service 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 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 AR20100017011 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages