Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2012/05/11 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that she requests a change to the narrative reason for separation and a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code. 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: 070802 Discharge Received: Date: 070928 Chapter: 15-3b AR: 635-200 Reason: Homosexual Conduct (Admission) RE: SPD: JRB Unit/Location: HHC, 110th AV Bde, Fort Rucker, AL Time Lost: AWOL for 6 days (070526-070601), returned to the unit. Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070606, without authority, absented herself from her unit (AWOL) (070526-070602); reduction to E-2, extra duty for 14 days and restriction for 14 days, (CG). Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 050628 Current ENL Term: 04 Years 18 Weeks Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 02 Mos, 25 Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 02 Mos, 25 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 42A10 Human Resources Spec GT: 86 EDU: GED Overseas: Korea Combat: None Decorations/Awards: AAM, NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 2 August 2007, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200, by reason of homosexual admission with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The applicant admitted in a sworn statement that she was a homosexual and had engaged or had the propensity to engage in homosexual/bisexual acts. She was advised of her rights. On 2 August 2007, 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, and submitted a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army. On 6 August 2007, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s discharge with an honorable characterization of service. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200, in effect at the time, set forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 15 of that regulation stated that active homosexuality was incompatible with military service and provided, in pertinent part, for the separation of members who actively engaged in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements, demonstrated a tendency to engage in homosexual conduct. The Army Regulation stated that when the sole basis for separation was homosexuality, a discharge under other than honorable conditions may be issued only if such characterization was warranted in accordance with Chapter 3, Section III, and if there was a finding that during the current term of service the Soldier attempted, solicited, or committed a homosexual act by using force, coercion or intimidation; with a person under 16 years of age; with a subordinate in circumstances that violate customary military superior subordinate relationships; openly in public view; for compensation; aboard a military vessel or aircraft; or in another location subject to military control if the conduct had, or was likely to have had, an adverse impact on discipline, good order, or morale due to the close proximity of other Soldiers of the Armed Forces. In all other cases where no aggravating factors were present, the type of discharge would reflect the character of the Soldier’s overall record of service. 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 and the issue submitted with the application, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for the applicant’s separation is now inequitable based on the current standard. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 15, paragraph 15-3b, AR 635-200, in effect at the time, by reason of homosexual admission. The analyst further noted that the applicant had completed 2 years, 2 months, 25 days of active military service, attained the grade of E-3, and had only one derogatory entry in her service record. Current law and regulations now allow Soldiers who are homosexual to serve openly. Former Soldiers that were discharged under the old policy may request a change to the reason for their separation invoking the current standard. The Board will consider any aggravating factors and in their absence, will change the narrative reason for the discharge to Secretarial Authority. The applicant’s record does not indicate the presence of any aggravating factors. In view of the foregoing, the analyst recommends that the separation authority be changed to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-3, the narrative reason of the applicant’s discharge be changed to “Secretarial Authority,” under the provisions of Chapter 5, AR 635-200, with a corresponding SPD Code of “JFF,” and a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “1.” VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 10 October 2012 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 149, dated (120509); DD Form 214, dated (070928); DA Form 2223 (Sworn Statement), two (2) pages, dated 070524); Applicant's Letter of Apology, undated; Chapter 15 Discharge Packet, twenty-one (21) pages. 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 narrative reason for separation is now inequitable based on the current standard. The Board voted to change the separation authority to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-3, the narrative reason for separation to “Secretarial Authority,” under the provisions of Chapter 5, AR 635-200, with a corresponding SPD Code of “JFF,” and a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “1.” IX. Board Decision Board Vote: Character - Change 0 No change 0 Reason - Change 5 No change 0 (Board member names available upon request) X. Board Action Directed Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: Secretarial Authority,” under the provisions of Chapter 5, AR 635-200, with a corresponding separation (SPD) code of “JFF.” Other: Change the separation authority to "AR 635-200, paragraph 5-3." RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None XI. Certification Signature Approval Authority: ARCHIE L. DAVIS III Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board BONITA E. TROTMAN Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army Secretary Recorder ????? 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 AR20120009317 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 pages