1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 30 August 2017 b. Date Received: 5 September 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, believes that the military service was exceptional up until the reason for discharge. The applicant was an excellent Soldier as reflected in monthly counseling statements and NCOER. The applicant made a mistake of attending a party and accepting drinks that were offered, which resulted in failing a urinalysis for drug abuse. The applicant believes that the discharge should be changed because until the failed urinalysis, the applicant was an outstanding Soldier. These actions have made the applicant a better person, mother and wife. Per the Board's Medical Officer, a voting member, based on the information available for review at the time in the service record, the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), and Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV), notes indicate diagnoses of Alcohol Abuse, Anxiety, Major Depressive Disorder, and Cocaine Use. The applicant is 40% service-connected through the VA. The VA has diagnosed the applicant with Anxiety Disorder, Unspecified and Major Depressive Disorder. In summary, the applicant did not have a BH diagnosis that is mitigating for the misconduct which led to separation from the Army. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 12 April 2019, 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 (Drug Abuse) / AR 635- 200 / Chapter 14-12c (2) / JKK / RE-4 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 9 August 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 27 June 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: Between on or about 26 March 2016 and on or about 29 March 2016, she wrongfully used cocaine. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 30 June 2016 (5) Administrative Separation Board: On 30 June 2016, the applicant conditionally waived consideration of her case before an administrative separation board, contingent upon her receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than general (under honorable conditions) discharge. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 19 July 2016 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 10 October 2012 / 5 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 32 / HS Graduate / 124 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-5 / 15E1P, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Repairer / 6 years, 3 months, 26 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 14 April 2010 - 9 October 2012 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AAM-3, AGCM-2, NDSM, GWOTSM, NCOPDR, ASR g. Performance Ratings: 1 August 2014 - 1 August 2015 / Among The Best h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Electronic Copy of DD Form 2624, dated 14 April 2016, reflects the applicant tested positive for COC 833 (cocaine), during an Inspection Unit (IU) urinalysis testing, conducted on 29 March 2016. Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) Enrollment form, dated 27 April 2016, reflects the applicant was command-referred to the ASAP for the improper use of drugs. Law Enforcement Report - Initial Final, dated 16 May 2016, reflects an investigation established the applicant tested positive for cocaine during a Unit Urinalysis Inspection, conducted on 29 March 2016. FG Article 15, dated 24 May 2016, for wrongfully using cocaine (between 26 and 29 March 2016). The punishment consisted of a reduction to E-4; forfeiture of $1,241 pay per month for two months ($1,241 pay suspended); extra duty for 45 days (30 days suspended);restriction for 45 days (suspended); oral reprimand. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application; copies of her military awards certificates; DA Form 348-E; DA Form 1059; DA Form 2627; DA Form 5984-E; ERB. 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(2) terms abuse of illegal drugs as serious misconduct. It continues; however, by recognizing relevant facts may mitigate the nature of the offense. Therefore, a single drug abuse offense may be combined with one or more minor disciplinary infractions or incidents of other misconduct and processed for separation under paragraph 14-12a or 14-12b as appropriate. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The applicant, as a NCO, had the duty to support and abide by the Army's drug policies. By abusing illegal drugs, the applicant knowingly risked a military career and marred the quality of her service. The record confirms that 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 contends the event that caused her discharge from the Army was an isolated incident. 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. The applicant contends that she had good service. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of her service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for her accomplishments. 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 12 April 2019, 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 AR20170017118 1