1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 31 January 2017 b. Date Received: 6 February 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her under other than honorable conditions discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, her discharge is improper because she was authorized non-medical attendant TDY. She was TDY due to the hospitalization. She had requested a compassionate reassignment due to her dependent being an exceptional family member. She states, she was strongly advised by the Bassett Army Community Hospital Exception Family Member Program Provider to be reassigned to the continental US, where medical services are provided. She states, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, did not have the medical services needed for her family member at the time she was stationed there. Prior to be assigned to Alaska, the Medical Command at Fort Bragg, requested that the applicant not be reassigned until her family member's discharge. After she was reassigned to Alaska, she was authorized TDY from 21 August to 30 October 2012, but she was placed in an AWOL status on 12 October 2012. She states, her entire Army career, she was an elite Soldier. She was a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, NCO of the Quarter and an enlisted executive assistant to the Brigadier General of the Division. Her career was moving forward as she lived the Army values and she served two combat tours. She was faced with extreme family issues; and, she was suffering with handling a traumatic experience, wherein she was not receiving any help from her unit or chain of command. She tried to do everything right in accordance with established policies to help her family. She submitted the required paperwork and was authorized to be away from her duty station at the time of her AWOL. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 28 May 2018, and by a 3-2 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: In Lieu of Trial by Court-Martial / AR 635- 200, Chapter 10 / KFS / RE-4 / Under Other Than Honorable Conditions b. Date of Discharge: 26 December 2013 c. Separation Facts: (1) DD Form 458 (Charge Sheet): On 7 November 2013, the applicant was charged with violating Article 86, UCMJ, for being AWOL from 15 October 2012 to 31 October 2013. (2) Legal Consultation Date: 7 November 2013 (3) Basis for Separation: Pursuant to the applicant's request for discharge under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 10, in lieu of trial by court-martial. (4) Recommended Characterization: Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (5) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 18 December 2013 / Under Other Than Honorable Conditions 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 1 October 2005 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / 1 year college / 114 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-6 / 74D10, Chemical Operations Specialist / 8 years, 8 months, 10 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 1 April 2004 - 30 September 2005 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Afghanistan (9 January 2007 - 10 April 2008), Iraq (31 January 2005 - 23 November 2005) f. Awards and Decorations: ACM-CS, ARCOM-6, AAM, JMUA, AGCM-2, NDSM, GWOTSM, ICM-CS, NCOPDR-2, NATOMDL, CAB g. Performance Ratings: 30 September 2007 - 6 June 2008 / Among The Best 6 June 2008 - 22 March 2009 / Among The Best 1 December 2010 - 1 October 2011 / Among The Best 2 October 2011 - 18 March 2012 / Among The Best h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Charge sheet as described in previous paragraph 3c. Three Personnel Action forms, reflect the applicant's duty status changed as follows: From "Present for Duty (PDY)" to "Absent Without Leave (AWOL)," effective 15 October 2012; From "AWOL" to "Dropped From Rolls (DFR)," effective 15 November 2012; and, From "DFR" to "PDY," effective 31 October 2013. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: 380 days (AWOL, 15 October 2012 - 30 October 2013) / Apprehended by Civil Authorities j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293, with all allied documents listed in block 8 of the application. 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 10 provides, in pertinent part, that a member who has committed an offense or offenses for which the authorized punishment includes a punitive discharge may submit a request for a discharge for the good of the service in lieu of trial by court-martial. The request may be submitted at any time after charges have been preferred and must include the individual's admission of guilt. Army policy states that although an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge is authorized, a discharge under other than honorable conditions is normally considered appropriate. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her under other than honorable conditions discharge to honorable conditions. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record confirms the applicant was charged with the commission of an offense punishable under the UCMJ with a punitive discharge. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The under other than honorable conditions discharge received by the applicant was normal and appropriate under the regulatory guidance. Her record documents no acts of significant achievement or valor and did not support the issuance of an honorable or a general discharge by the separation authority at the time of discharge. The applicant contends she was charged with being AWOL from 12 October 2012 to 30 October 2012, which was period that she had an authorized absence. However, 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 evidence of record reflects the applicant was charged with being AWOL from 15 October 2012 to 30 October 2013, a total of 380 days. The character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with her overall service record. Further, the applicant's requested change to the DD Form 214 does not fall within the purview of this Board. The applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR), using the enclosed DD Form 149 regarding this matter. A DD Form 149 may also be obtained from a Veterans' Service Organization. The applicant contends that she had good service which included two combat tours. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of her service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for her accomplishments. The applicant contends that she never received help from her chain of command regarding her dependent's condition. However, 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 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 28 May 2018, and by a 3-2 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 a New Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change 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 AR20170002103 1