1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 18 March 2017 b. Date Received: 28 March 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from general (under honorable conditions) to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, the DUI is the only adverse action that negatively impacted the applicant's conduct as a Soldier. The applicant has undergone treatment for alcohol and changed for the better. The applicant has taken college courses and learned a trade in the maintenance mechanics field. The applicant requests a change in discharge in order to not be looked over for future career opportunities by having a general discharge. The applicant does not want past actions to continue to affect future opportunities in life. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 August 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 (Serious Offense) / AR 635-200, Paragraph 14-12c / JKQ / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 3 April 2012 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 28 February 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason for his discharge; he was cited for reckless driving with collision and DUI (3 February 2011). (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 5 March 2012 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 15 March 2012 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 31 July 2007 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 17 years / HS Graduate / 103 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 94E10, Radio & Comsec Repairer / 4 years, 8 months, 3 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Korea / None f. Awards and Decorations: AGCM, NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, NOPDR, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Military Police Report, dated 3 February 2011, relates that the applicant was under investigation for driving under the influence, reckless driving, MVA / Veh-Veh, non-injury, d-cell activation, on post. An administrative General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR), dated 10 March 2011, for driving while under the influence of alcohol. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 7 February 2012, revealed that the applicant was screened for PTSD and mTBI, both screens were negative. He completed ASAP treatment and was enrolled at Lakeside Milam Alcohol Recovery Center. He was cleared from a psychological perspective for administrative processing per AR 635-200. The applicant received a counseling statement for driving under the influence of alcohol and being notified of pending separation action. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None 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 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 the characterization of service from general (under honorable conditions) to honorable. The applicant's record of service and the issues 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. By the misconduct (serious offense), the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting an honorable discharge at the time of separation. 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, his DUI is the only adverse action that negatively impacted his conduct as a Soldier. Although a single incident, the discrediting entry constituted a departure from the standards of conduct expected of Soldiers in the Army. Army Regulation 635-200, in pertinent part, stipulates there are circumstances in which the conduct or performance of duty reflected by a single incident provides the basis for a characterization of service. The applicant further contends, he has undergone treatment for alcohol and changed himself for the better; he has taken college courses and learned a trade in the maintenance mechanics field. The applicant is to be commended for his efforts. However, this contention is not a matter upon which the Army Discharge Review Board grants a change in discharge because it raises no matter of fact, law, procedure, or discretion related to the discharge process, nor is it associated with the discharge at the time it was issued. The applicant requests a change in discharge so he will not be looked over for future career opportunities by having a general discharge; and he does not want his past actions to continue to affect his future opportunities in life. 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 3 August 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 AR20170005674 1