1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 21 June 2016 b. Date Received: 1 August 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that the applicant would like an upgrade of the discharge for the purpose of getting a second chance and to get an education without a financial burden. The applicant contends an upgrade of discharge will help better support the applicant's daughter and get the assistance needed to provide a better future. The applicant realizes the mistake that has been made, which was a stupid one, and now that the applicant has come to know and think for oneself, the applicant has changed for the better. If given a choice, the applicant would join the military again, as she enjoyed her time and it was cut short over something as stupid as trying to fit in and be someone that she was not. It is a burden on life having this on the record and the applicant would love to get an education without all the financial burden. The applicant is now asking for a second chance in life. This is embarrassing and the applicant is willing to do anything to fix it. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 25 July 2018, 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 (Drug Abuse) / AR 635- 200, Paragraph 14-12c(2) / JKK / RE-4 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 31 March 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 12 December 2013 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason: wrongfully using marijuana between 6 October 2013 and 6 November 2013 (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 3 February 2014, the applicant declined the opportunity to consult with legal counsel (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 10 February 2014 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 7 February 2011 / 4 years, 21 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 91 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 42A10, Human Resources Specialist / 3 years, 1 month, 24 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: Electronic copy of the DD Form 2624, dated 18 November 2013, reflects the applicant tested positive for THC 26 during an Inspection Random (IR) urinalysis testing conducted on 6 November 2013. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 20 November 2013, shows the applicant could understand and participate in administrative proceedings and appreciate the difference between right and wrong. It was noted that the applicant had completed ASAP and that from a behavioral health perspective, she met the medical fitness standards for retention per AR 40- 501 3-31 to 3-37 as there was no indication of a board-able behavioral health disorder at that time. FG Article 15, dated 15 January 2014, for the wrongful use of marijuana between 6 October 2013 and 6 November 2013. The punishment consisted of reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $300 pay (suspended), extra duty for 21 days, and oral reprimand. Negative counseling statements reference her testing positive for marijuana. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 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 14-12c(2) terms abuse of illegal drugs as serious misconduct. It continues; however, by recognizing relevant facts may mitigate the nature of the offense. Therefore, a single drug abuse offense may be combined with one or more minor disciplinary infractions or incidents of other misconduct and processed for separation under paragraph 14-12a or 14-12b as appropriate. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms the applicant's discharge was appropriate because the quality of her 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. Furthermore, by violating the Army's policy not to possess or use illegal drugs, the applicant compromised the trust and confidence placed in a Soldier. The applicant, as a Soldier, had the duty to support and abide by the Army's drug policies. By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and diminished the quality of her service below that meriting an honorable discharge. 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 she should have been retained on Active duty. The applicant seeks relief contending, that she would like an upgrade of her discharge for the purpose of getting a second chance and to get her education without a financial burden. The applicant contends an upgrade of her discharge will help her better support her daughter and get the assistance she needs to provide a better future for her and her daughter's life. She realizes the mistake she has made, which was a stupid one and now that she has come to know herself and think for herself she has changed for the better. If she had a choice she would join the military again, she enjoyed her time and it was cut short over something as stupid as trying to fit in and be someone that she was not. It is a burden on her life having this on her record and she would love to get her education without all the financial burden. She is now asking for a second chance in life, this is embarrassing and she is willing to do anything to fix it. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. At the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of 4. An RE code of 4 cannot be waived and the applicant is not eligible to reenlist. Further, 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. 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 her 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 25 July 2018, 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 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 AR20170003102 1