Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2011/04/04 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant submitted a self authored statement indicating that he has been interviewing for jobs which he has not gotten due to his discharge from the Army. Since he has been out, he understands how the military can follow him for the rest of his life and he was hoping that his discharge could be changed so that he can provide for his family as well as himself. He is trying to make his life better as a civilian. 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: 101228 Discharge Received: Date: 110301 Chapter: 14-12c (1) AR: 635-200 Reason: Misconduct (AWOL) RE: SPD: JKD Unit/Location: E Company, 2ND Brigade Combat Team (Rear) (Provisional), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) (Rear) (Provisional), Fort Campbell, KY Time Lost: AWOL x 2 from (100226-100228) for 3 days, the applicant returned to his unit, and AWOL from (100421-100808) for 108 days, the applicant returned to his unit. Total time lost was 111 days. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 100325, AWOL from (100226-100301), reduction to Private (E-2), forfeiture of $378.00 pay, extra duty and restriction for 14 days (CG) 100914, AWOL from (100421-100809), reduction to Private (E-1), forfeiture of $724.00 pay per month for two months, suspended, to be automatically remitted if not vacated before (101215), extra duty 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: 22 Current ENL Date: Reenl/080704 Current ENL Term: 3 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 4 Mos, 7 Days ????? Total Service: 5 Yrs, 8 Mos, 25 Days ????? Previous Discharges: USAR 050129-050213/NA RA 050214-080703/HD Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 11B10 Infantryman GT: 92 EDU: GED Cert Overseas: Southwest Asia Combat: Iraq x 2 (051001-060921) & (071021-081116) Decorations/Awards: PH, BSM, ARCOM, GCMDL, NDSM, GWOTSM, ICMDLw/3 CS, ASR, OSR (2), CIB 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 28 December 2010, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 14-12c (1), AR 635-200, by reason of misconduct-commission of a serious offense; in that he did between (100226) and on or about (100809) absent himself from his unit without leave, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 29 December 2010, 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 a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 17 February 2011, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts, stated that the applicant's medical condition was not the direct or substantial contributing cause of his misconduct that led to the recommendation for administrative separation action 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, the issue and documents 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 his 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 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 analyst noted the applicant's issue that he has been interviewing for jobs which he has not gotten due to his discharge from the Army. Since he has been out, he understands how the military can follow him for the rest of his life and he was hoping that his discharge could be changed so that he can provide for his family as well as himself. There was a full consideration of all faithful and honorable service as well as the infractions of discipline, the extent thereof, and the seriousness of the offenses. The analyst concluded that the discrediting entries in the applicant's record were not outweighed by prior or subsequent service of sufficient merit to warrant an upgrade of the discharge being reviewed. Further, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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: 19 October 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 149 in lieu of a DD Form 293 dated 30 March 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 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: 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 AR20110006474 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages