1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 9 July 2016 b. Date Received: 14 July 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, an upgrade of his discharge would allow him the opportunities to move forward and explore job opportunities without hindrance. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time, case file, AHLTA and JLV reviewed. AHLTA contains the following Behavioral Health diagnoses: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Adjustment Disorder, Anxiety DO NOS, Major Depressive Disorder, Military Operational Stress Reaction and PTSD. Applicant's PTSD symptoms include severe insomnia (resistant to sleep meds), extreme irritability, nightmares of combat and death, flashbacks, increased startle and hypervigilance. Applicant suffered a head injury in the Army-got hit in the head with a 50 caliber machine gun stock. He did not lose consciousness but did have an alteration in consciousness (AOC) and headaches afterwards. PTSD screen (PCL) is consistently positive. At time of discharge, it was 52 (50 and above indicates need for further evaluation). VA has diagnosed the applicant with combat related PTSD, Bipolar Disorder type II, Alcohol Use Disorder and rule out ADHD. Based on my review of the available information, the applicant has two mitigating Behavioral Health conditions: PTSD (diagnosed both in service and post service) and Bipolar Disorder type II (diagnosed post service by VA). Review of his military medical records indicates he exhibited Bipolar symptoms while on active duty as well (irritability, mood swings, insomnia, racing thoughts). As PTSD and Bipolar Disorder are associated with significant problems with sleep, there is a nexus between these two disorders and the offense of failing to report on multiple occasions (most of the applicant's failure to report involved him being late for morning formation). Additionally, as PTSD and Bipolar Disorder are both associated with irritability and PTSD is associated with difficulty dealing with authority figures, there is likely a nexus between his PTSD and Bipolar Disorder and the offense of being disrespectful to a NCO. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 22 September 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant's length and quality of service, to include his combat service, a period of homelessness and the circumstances surrounding the discharge (i.e. in-service and VA post-service diagnoses of behavioral health issues and combat-related PTSD.) and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable, change the separation authority to AR 635-200, Chapter 14-12a, the narrative reason for separation to Misconduct (Minor Infractions), the separation code to JKN. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Pattern of Misconduct / AR 635-200 / Chapter 14-12b / JKA / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 18 November 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 12 September 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: He was were derelict in the performance of his duties on 3 June 2013, and 11 June 2014; and He failed to report to his place of duty x14, on 3 April 2014, 8 April 2014, 15 April 2014, 23 April 2014, 5 May 2014, 13 May 2014, 27 May 2014, 30 May 2014, 2 June 2014, 5 June 2014, 23 June 2014, 17 July 2014, 18 July 2014, and 28 July 2014. Note: The applicant was notified that he was being separated under the provisions of AR 635- 200, Chapter 14-12a, Minor Disciplinary Infractions. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 30 September 2014 / The applicant was advised by counsel of the basis for the contemplated action to separate him for Minor Disciplinary Infractions under AR 635-200, Chapter 14-12a. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 20 October 2014 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) / Note: The separation authority approved the applicant's separation under AR 635-200, Chapter 14-12b, Pattern of Misconduct. 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 15 August 2012 / 3 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 24 / HS Graduate / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 91S10, Stryker Systems Maintenance / 4 years, 10 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 11 January 2011 - 2 June 2013 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Alaska, SWA / Afghanistan (7 May 2011 - 16 April 2012) f. Awards and Decorations: ACM-2CS, AAM-3, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR, NATOMDL g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Commander's Report, dated 6 October 2014, reflects the applicant received: CG Article 15, dated 21 May 2014, for failing to go at the time prescribed to his appointed place of duty (x6). The punishment consisted of a reduction to E-2; forfeiture of $400 pay (suspended); extra duty and restriction for 14 days; and, an oral reprimand. Vacation of Suspension, dated 5 June 2014, failing to go at the time prescribed to his appointed place of duty (x3); restriction for 14 days. CG Article 15, dated 10 July 2014; for dereliction of duty; and, for, failure to report to his place of duty (x7). The punishment consisted of a reduction to E-3; forfeiture of $474 pay (suspended); extra duty for 14 Days; restriction for 14 Days (suspended); and, an oral reprimand. Two Personnel Action forms, reflect the applicant's duty status changed as follows: From "Present for Duty (PDY)" to ""Civil Confinement (CCA)," effective 27 October 2014; and, From "CCA" to "PDY," effective 3 November 2014. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: 8 days (CCA, 27 October 2014 - 4 November 2014) / Released to unit j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): 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 being absent 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. Paragraph 14-12b addresses a pattern of misconduct consisting of either discreditable involvement with civilian or military authorities or discreditable conduct and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline including conduct violating the accepted standards of personal conduct found in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Army Regulations, the civilian law and time-honored customs and traditions of the Army. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms 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. It brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. 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, such that he should have been retained on Active Duty. The applicant contends that an upgrade of his discharge will allow him to obtain better employment. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 22 September 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant's length and quality of service, to include his combat service, a period of homelessness and the circumstances surrounding the discharge (i.e. in-service and VA post-service diagnoses of behavioral health issues and PTSD.) and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable, change the separation authority to AR 635-200, Chapter 14-12a, the narrative reason for separation to Misconduct (Minor Infractions), the separation code to JKN. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: Misconduct (Minor Infractions) d. Change Authority to: AR 635-200, Chapter 14-12a e. Change SPD/RE Code to: Change SPD to JKN / No change to RE code f. Restore Grade to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160013089 5