1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 24 December 2016 b. Date Received: 29 December 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 pertinent part and in effect, his record shows he served honorably. He also served in the Air Force; however, due to his career field being over-manned, he transferred to the Army. During an intense training program, he went through a rapid maturation process that led to new convictions in how he viewed his role within humanity. His newly found spiritual resolution led to his conscientiously objecting to participating in combat and combat-related roles. The applicant detailed the events and circumstances surrounding his approved application for conscientious objector status and discharge with his service characterized as general (under honorable conditions), and his overall service. He was never a below average Soldier, nor irresponsible or insubordinate-he performed his duties with stamina and integrity, nothing short. Thus his current discharge is inequitable because the characterization is punitive and prejudicial, and affects him in his professional life as a prior Service member. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 30 May 2018, the Board determined that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24, character of service as general, under honorable conditions. In view of the error, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board voted to correct it and directed an administrative change be made to block 24, character of service to "Honorable", as approved by the applicant's command. Except for the foregoing modification to the applicant's characterization of service, the Board determined that the reason for separation, separation code and RE-code were both proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Conscientious Objector / AR 600-43 / KCM / RE-4 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 10 September 2010 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NA (2) Basis for Separation: The evidence of record shows that on 7 April 2010, the applicant voluntarily requested discharge under the provisions of AR 600-43 as a conscientious objector due to his religious beliefs. He was opposed to participating in war in any form, and strongly opposed to the taking of human life under any circumstances. In accordance with Chapter 2, AR 600-43, an investigating officer was appointed to determine whether the applicant met the requirements for discharge as a CO (1-O). On 21 April 2010, the applicant attended a Conscientious Objector Hearing as mandated by regulation to present evidence in support of his request. On 26 April 2010, the investigating officer recommended approving the applicant's request for classification and discharge under the provisions of AR 600-43, upon finding the applicant had a firm, fixed, and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms because of his religious beliefs. On 3 June 2010, the general court-martial convening authority recommended approving the applicant's request and forwarded the request to the Department of the Army Conscientious Objector Review Board (DACORB) for approval. On 17 August 2010, the DACORB, upon determining the applicant established by clear and convincing evidence that the nature of his CO claim came within the definition of AR 600-43 and that his beliefs were sincere, recommended approving the applicant's request for separation as a CO (1-O). (3) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: On 23 August 2010, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Review Boards), Army Review Boards Agency, approved the DACORB's recommendation to grant the applicant's request for CO (1-O) status and discharge, and directed the applicant's command to determine the characterization of service. On 24 August 2010, the applicant's Group Commander, directed the applicant be separated with an "Honorable Conditions" characterization of service. 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 4 June 2009 / 3 years, 17 weeks (Inter Service Transfer from USAF to US Army) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / HS Graduate / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 11B10, Infantryman / 2 years, 4 months, 26 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAF, 15 April 2008 to 3 June 2009 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: NIF f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM; ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: There is no record of any adverse or derogatory information. The applicant was discharged at the rank of SPC / E-4. Application for Conscientious Objector Status with its approved decision for CO (1-O) status and discharge. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages). 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 600-43 sets forth the policy, criteria, responsibilities, and procedures to classify and process military personnel who claim conscientious objection to participation in war in any form or to the bearing of arms. An honorable or a general, under honorable conditions characterization of service may be granted. Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7a, provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law. The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the member's service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel, or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate. Whenever there is doubt, it is to be resolved in favor of the individual. Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7b, provides that a general discharge is a separation from the Army under honorable conditions. When authorized, it is issued to a Soldier whose military record is satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable discharge. A characterization of under honorable conditions may be issued only when the reason for the Soldier's separation specifically allows such characterization. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It identifies the SPD code of "KCM" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 600-43, Conscientious Objector. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "KCM" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service and the issues submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's record of service reflects that he was discharged pursuant to AR 600-43, Conscientious Objector with a general (under honorable conditions) characterization of service. The record of evidence further confirms his discharge was the result of the DACORB granting him CO (1-O) status and discharge under provisions of AR 600-43, by reason of his conscientious objection to participating in war in any form or to the bearing of arms, and that the characterization of his service was determined by the applicant's command as instructed by DACORB. Thereupon, the record also reflects that the applicant's command decision was to characterize his service as honorable. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applilcant's discharge, the record shows that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24, character of service as general (under honorable conditions). In view of the erroneous entry, it appears an administrative correction should be made to block 24, to indicate an "Honorable" character of service according to the applicant's command decision on the characterization of his service as honorable conditions. 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 30 May 2018, the Board determined that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24, character of service as general, under honorable conditions. In view of the error, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board voted to correct it and directed an administrative change be made to block 24, character of service to "Honorable", as approved by the applicant's command. Except for the foregoing modification to the applicant's characterization of service, the Board determined that the reason for separation, separation code and RE-code were both proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code 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 AR20170001281 4