Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/02/04 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that she is requesting a change in her characterization of service and the narrative reason for separation because it is downgrading her characteristics. She has matured tremendously sine her discharge and has realized how ungrateful she was during her time in the service. She has had a hard time trying to find a job when she was discharged due to her narrative reason for separation. If she could turn back the hands of time, she would change her decision making things for the better. She has a five year old daughter and wants to join the military when she becomes eligible and she will make sure that she learn from her mistakes and will be focused and determined to be all that she can be. She ask that the board please consider her upgrade so that she can put her mistakes in the past and look forward to a better future. 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: 061002 Discharge Received: Date: 061208 Chapter: 14-12b AR: 635-200 Reason: Pattern of Misconduct RE: SPD: JKA Unit/Location: HQ & HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, GA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 051208, failed to obey a lawful order issued by her company commander (050830), wrongfully and unlawfully signed her name as a lawful affirmation that she had submitted a urine sample, which she then knew to be false (050830), reduction to Private (E-1), forfeiture of $617.00 pay per month for two months, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (060608), extra duty and restriction for 45 days and a written reprimand (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: 031009 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 3 Yrs, 2 Mos, 0 Days ????? Total Service: 3 Yrs, 2 Mos, 0 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92A10 Automated Logistical Spec GT: 90 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea (040217-050320) Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? 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 2 october 2006, 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 failed to obey an order, failed to report for formations, operating a motor vehicle outside of Army Regulations and Georgia law, and dereliction of duty. The unit commander recommended separation with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. She was advised of her rights. On 10 October 2006, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, voluntarily waived consideration of her case by an administrative separation board contingent upon her receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than a general, under honorable conditions discharge, even though she was not entitled to one. The applicant did not submit a statement in her 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 a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 20 November 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. The record contains a Military Police Report in reference to the applicant's offenses of; driving on a suspended license, registration suspended, no insurance, driving the wrong way in a one way lane, and use of a license plate to conceal the ID of a vehicle, dated 18 September 2006. 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 her 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 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 the applicant’s service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. The analyst noted the applicant's issue that she is requesting a change in her characterization of service because it is downgrading her characteristics. She has matured tremendously since her discharge and has realized how ungrateful she was during her time in the service. She has had a hard time trying to find a job. The analyst found that the applicant met entrance qualification standards to include age. The analyst further found no evidence that the applicant was any less mature than other soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service. The Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The applicant further request that her narrative reason for separation be changed. The narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 14, paragraph 14-12b, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Misconduct (pattern of misconduct)", the separation code is "JKA", and the reentry code is "RE 3". 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, separation code, entered in block 26, and RE Code, entered in block 27 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: 2 September 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 13 January 2011. 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 AR20110002518 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages