1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 20 December 2016 b. Date Received: 3 April 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of under other than honorable conditions discharge to honorable or general (under honorable conditions). The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, would like an upgrade of discharge for the purpose of being able to receive help. The applicant contends that before a 15 month tour to Iraq the applicant was a model Soldier, but has not been the same since returning and really needs help. The applicant is having trouble sleeping, has completely lost control of emotions and Family has seen the change in attitude. The applicant is asking for the mercy of the board to grant a change to characterization of service in order to receive help and return to a normal life. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 August 2018, and by a 4-1 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 / AR 635-200 / Chapter 14-12c(1) / JKD / RE-3 / Under Other Than Honorable Conditions b. Date of Discharge: 1 June 2005 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 17 May 2005 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: going AWOL (6 May 2004 to 20 May 2004; 28 June 2004 to 12 January 2005; and 16 March 2005 to 10 May 2005) (3) Recommended Characterization: Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (4) Legal Consultation Date: 17 May 2005 (5) Administrative Separation Board: On 17 May 2005, the applicant voluntarily and unconditionally waived consideration of her case by an administrative separation board. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / Under Other Than Honorable Conditions 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 20 March 2002 / 3 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / GED / 89 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 92G10, Food Service Specialist / 2 years, 6 months, 25 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Iraq (27 April 2003 to 26 April 2004) f. Awards and Decorations: ICM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Mental Status Examination memorandum, dated 17 February 2005, shows the applicant was referred to the Department of Behavioral Health for a Command Directed Mental Status Examination, pursuant to Chapter proceedings under section 14-12c. It was noted that the applicant had the capacity to understand and participate in the proceedings and was mentally responsible. The evaluation did not reveal any psychiatric conditions or symptoms that would impair her ability to participate in the aforementioned proceedings. Counseling statement for failure to report to her unit. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: AWOL 227 days: 4 days (6 May 2004 to 9 May 2004) / mode of return unknown; 168 days (28 July 2004 to 11 January 2005) / mode of return unknown; and 55 days (16 March 2005 to 9 May 2005) / mode of return unknown. 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 14-12a addresses minor disciplinary infractions, defined as a pattern of misconduct, consisting solely of minor military disciplinary infractions. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her under other than honorable conditions discharge to honorable or general (under honorable conditions). 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. 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 she would like an upgrade of her discharge for the purpose of being able to receive help. She contends that before her 15 month tour to Iraq she was a model Soldier, she has not been the same since she came back and really needs help. She contends she is having trouble sleeping, she has completely lost control of her emotions and her family has seen the change in her. She is asking for the mercy of the board to grant her a change to her characterization of service so that she can receive help and return to a normal life. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, the service record does not support the applicant's contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted to corroborate the discharge was the result of any medical condition. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service with either medical limitation or medication. Furthermore, 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 8 August 2018, and by a 4-1 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 AR20170006625 1