1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 27 June 2017 b. Date Received: 30 June 2017 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, would like an upgrade of discharge for the purpose of being able to rejoin the military upon finishing college. The applicant enlisted in the Army right out of high school at the age of eighteen and did not realize the applicant's immaturity at the time and the effects of underage drinking and non-compliance. Since discharge, the applicant has enrolled in college, sought counseling and is currently working full-time. The applicant now sees clearly the mistakes that were made, regrets not completing a full term of service, and would deeply appreciate having the discharge upgraded. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 20 February 2019, 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: Misconduct (Serious Offense) / AR 635-200 / Chapter 14-12c / JKQ / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 9 April 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 16 March 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason: for failing to escort his visitor at all times on 3 November 2015. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 16 March 2016 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 22 March 2016 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 28 July 2014 / 3 years, 18 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / 104 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / 13M10, MLRS/HIMARS Crewmen / 1 year, 8 months, 12 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Korea / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, KDSM, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: CG Article 15, dated 31 March 2015, for failure to obey a lawful general regulation by wrongfully consuming an alcoholic beverage while under the age of 21 on 19 February 2015. The punishment consisted of reduction to E-1, forfeiture of $360 pay for one month, extra duty for 14 days, and restriction for 14 days (suspended). FG Article 15, dated 19 November 2015, for failure to go at the time prescribed to his place of duty on 15 September 2015 and violating a lawful general regulation by wrongfully not escorting his visitor at all time on 3 November 2015. The punishment consisted of forfeiture of $773 pay per month for two months (suspended), extra duty and restriction for 30 days, and an oral reprimand. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 24 November 2015, shows the applicant could understand and participate in administrative proceedings and appreciate the difference between right and wrong. The applicant did not meet criteria for TBI or PTSD after screening. No contra-indication to administrative action as deemed appropriated by command. Results of the evaluation showed that the applicant was responsible for his behavior, and possessed sufficient mental capacity to participate in administrative proceedings. There is no psychiatric reason to preclude a CH 14-12b separation. Several negative counseling statements for various acts of misconduct and performance. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 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 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 his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents 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. 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 that he enlisted in the Army right out of high school at the age of eighteen, he did not realize at the time how immature he was and the effects of his underage drinking and non-compliance. The record shows the applicant met entrance qualification standards to include age. There is no evidence to indicate the applicant was any less mature than other Soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service. The applicant contends that since his discharge he has enrolled in college, sought counseling and is currently working full-time. He now sees clearly the mistakes he has made, he regrets that he did not complete his full term of service, and would deeply appreciate having his discharge upgraded. The applicant's post-service accomplishments have been noted as outlined on the application and the applicant is to be commended on his accomplishments. The applicant expressed his desire for an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of being able to rejoin the military once he finishes college. Soldiers being processed for separation are assigned reentry codes based on their service records or the reason for discharge. Based on Army Regulation 635-5-1 and the SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table the applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 3. There are no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. 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 20 February 2019, 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 AR20170010284 1