1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 5 October 2017 b. Date Received: 30 October 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, has been sober from alcohol for 7 years on 8 October 2017. The hardest thing the applicant has ever had to learn in life is being an alcoholic, a very sick person when untreated. The applicant is active in a very good recovery program and work with other people with the same issues. The applicant loved being in the military more than anything and when looking back, it hurt so bad to lose that part of life. The applicant did not know about being sick then. Upon arriving in Korea, drinking was what everyone was doing. The applicant didn't think it was any different. It usually takes a lot of pain for an alcoholic to see the truth and in hind sight, the applicant can appreciate everything that the Army did to try to help, but back then it was anger. It was the first time away from home and was very immature. The applicant now asks to have the discharge upgraded at this time, leaps and bounds have been made in understanding the disease of alcoholism and most Doctors will refer to it as a sickness, rather than a moral issue. The applicant wanted to do the "right" thing and intended to all the time, but could not quit drinking. The applicant is grateful for sobriety and for this opportunity. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 24 April 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Alcohol Rehabilitation Failure / Chapter 9, AR 635-200 / JPD / RE-4 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 5 February 2004 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 13 January 2003 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: being declared a rehabilitation failure from the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: The record does contain an election of rights memorandum however, the documents was not dated (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 12 March 2002 / 5 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 116 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 31P10, Microwave Systems Operator Maintainer / 1 years, 10 months, 24 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Korea / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum from the Clinical Director, Area IV ASAP, as to a rehabilitation summary and discharging him as a rehabilitation failure. Several negative counseling statements for alcohol related issues. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant contends he is active in a very good recovery program and works with other people with the same issues. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 9 outlines the procedures for discharging individuals because of alcohol or other drug abuse. A member who has been referred to the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) for alcohol or drug abuse may be separated because of inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program if there is a lack of potential for continued Army service and rehabilitation efforts are no longer practical. Army policy states that an honorable or general, under honorable conditions discharge is authorized depending on the applicant's overall record of service. However, an honorable discharge is required if limited use information is used in the discharge process. 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 applicant was enrolled in the Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) and was aware of the consequences of any action which would demonstrate any inability or refusal to participate in, cooperate in, or successfully complete such a program. As a result of the applicant's actions and after consultation with the drug and alcohol abuse counselor, the command declared the Soldier a rehabilitation failure. The evidence of record establishes the fact the applicant was properly counseled and afforded a reasonable opportunity to overcome his problems. The applicant provide not 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. The applicant seeks relief contending that he has been sober from alcohol for 7 years on 8 October 2017. The hardest thing he has ever had to learn in his life is that he is an alcoholic, a very sick person when untreated. He is active in a very good recovery program and work with other people with the same issues. He loved being in the military more than anything and when looking back, it hurt so bad to lose that part of his life. He did not know he was so sick then. When he arrived in Korea, drinking was what everyone was doing. He didn't think he was any different. It usually takes a lot of pain for an alcoholic to see the truth, in hind sight he can appreciate everything that the Army did to try to help him, but back when he was 20/21 all he saw was anger. It was his first time away from home and he was very immature. He now asks to have his discharge upgraded at this time, leaps and bounds have been made in understanding the disease of alcoholism and most Doctors will refer to it as a sickness, rather than a moral issue. He wanted to do the "right" thing and intended to all the time, but could not quit drinking. He is grateful for his sobriety and for this opportunity. The applicant's contentions along with his post-service accomplishments were noted and he is to be commended on his post-service accomplishments. However, 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 his overall service record. The applicant contends that he was young and immature at the time of the discharge. However, 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 discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 24 April 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable 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 AR20170016642 1