1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 6 July 2017 b. Date Received: 10 July 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that he would like an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of being able to go back to school and receive his full benefits. He contends the military was a good experience for him and he made a mistake. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 22 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: Pattern of Misconduct / AR 635-200 / Chapter 14-12b / JKA / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 5 April 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 29 February 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: for receiving a Summarized Article 15 on 27 January 2012 for failing to pay a debt and receiving a Company Grade Article 15 on 7 December 2011 for failure to report. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 1 March 2012 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / General (Under Honorable 'Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 20 January 2010 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 29 / HS Graduate / 105 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 91B10, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic / 4 years, 8 months, 26 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USN, 5 March 2007 to 8 May 2007 / UNC (Break-in-Service) ARNG, 10 July 2007 to 22 January 2008 / NA ADT, 23 January 2008 to 25 July 2008 / HD ARNG, 26 July 2008 to 31 March 2009 / HD RA, 1 April 2009 to 19 January 2010 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Afghanistan (30 August 2010 to 23 June 2011) f. Awards and Decorations: AAM, MUC, ACM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR, NATOMDL, ACM-CS g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: CG Article 15, dated 7 December 2011, for failure to go at the time prescribed to his appointed place of duty on 8 September 2011, 19 October 2011, 27 October 2011, 7 November 2011 and 22 November 2011. The punishment consisted of reduction to E-3, forfeiture of $455 pay per month for two months (suspended), and extra duty and restriction for 14 days. Summary Record of Proceedings under Article 15, UCMJ, dated 27 January 2012, for failure to pay debt (rent) between 15 October 2011 and 20 January 2012. The punishment consisted of extra duty and restriction for 14 days and an oral reprimand. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 2 February 2012, which shows the applicant reported some situational stressors related to his marriage, however, there was no evidence of a mental defect, emotional illness, or psychiatric disorder of sufficient severity to warrant disposition through military medical channels. The applicant was mentally responsible, could distinguish right from wrong, and possessed sufficient mental capacity to understand and participate intelligently as a respondent in any administrative proceedings. The applicant was psychologically cleared for any administrative action deemed appropriate by the separation authority (GCMCA). Several counseling statements for various acts of misconduct and performance. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; DD Form 149; and DD Form 214. 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 14-12b addresses a pattern of misconduct consisting of either discreditable involvement with civilian or military authorities or discreditable conduct and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline including conduct violating the accepted standards of personal conduct found in the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Army Regulations, the civilian law and time-honored customs and traditions of the Army. 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 expressed his desire for an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of being able to go back to school and receive his full benefits. However, 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 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 22 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 AR20170014490 1