1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 13 September 2016 b. Date Received: 15 September 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, he would like an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of being able to receive his GI Bill benefits so he can pursue a career as a Sheet Metal Worker and support his family. The applicant contends he was told that he needed to see about getting an upgrade of his discharge, he believes he has changed his life around and he is not the same person he was at the time of his discharge. He was having family problems and the atmosphere of military life, drinking was his way out. Since then he has stepped up and improved his life; he has gone through two evaluation and counseling classes. He has a clean record with no tickets, accidents, DUI's, or any illegal activities or problems. He is now a father of two children which are a great responsibility that he thoroughly enjoys. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 November 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Misconduct (Serious Offense) / AR 635-200, Paragraph 14-12c / JKQ / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 5 March 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 14 February 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: being arrested for driving while intoxicated; and Failing to be at his appointed place of duty on multiple occasions (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 14 February 2012 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 24 February 2012 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 9 June 2010 / 3 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 22 / HS Graduate / 91 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 91D10, Power Generation Equipment Repairer / 1 year, 8 months, 27 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Incident / Investigation Report, dated 8 December 2011, shows the applicant was the subject of investigation after being arrested for DUI Report of Mental Status Evaluation, indicates the applicant could understand and participate in administrative proceedings. He report heavy drinking of up to 12 drinks in on drinking period (increased tolerance). He denied withdrawal symptoms. Denied alcohol blackouts. Denied problems with control. The applicant received several negative counseling statements for various acts of misconduct and performance counseling. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 and two letters of support. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant contends that since his discharge, he has a clean record with no tickets, accidents, DUI's, or any illegal activities or problems. He is now a father of two children which are a great responsibility that he thoroughly enjoys. 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 14-12c states a Soldier is subject to action per this section for commission of a serious military or civilian offense, if the specific circumstances of the offense warrant separation and a punitive discharge is, or would be, authorized for the same or a closely related offense under the Manual for Courts-Martial. 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 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 seeks relief contending, that he believes he has changed his life around and he is not the same person he was at the time of discharge. He was having family problems and the atmosphere of military life, drinking was his way out. Since then he has stepped up and improved his life and he has gone through two evaluation and counseling classes. He has a clean record with no tickets, accidents, DUI's, or any illegal activities or problems. He is now a father of two children which are a great responsibility that he thoroughly enjoys. The applicant's contentions were noted; and he is to be commended on his post-service accomplishments. However, during the time the applicant was on Active Duty he had many legitimate avenues through which to obtain assistance or relief and there is no evidence in the record that he ever sought such assistance before committing the misconduct which led to the separation action under review. The applicant expressed his desire for an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of being able to receive his GI Bill benefits so he can pursue a career as a Sheet Metal Worker and support his family. However, 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. Furthermore, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with his overall service record. 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 3 November 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a new DD-214/Issue new Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change f. Restoration to Grade: 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 AR20160015256 4