1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 24 July 2018 b. Date Received: 30 July 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from general (under honorable conditions) to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he is a welder and an upgrade will help him get more jobs and benefits. Per the Medical Advisor, based on available medical records, the applicant held an in-service diagnosis of Bereavement. The applicant is not service connected. In March 2017, the applicant went to the VA requesting housing and assistance; he was working part-time and attending school. While liberal consideration was applied, the applicant's in-service diagnosis is not mitigating. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 February 2021, 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, Paragraph 14-12b / JKA / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 11 September 2012 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 22 August 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons for his discharge; he received a FG Article 15 on 14 May 2012, for underage drinking and violation of curfew; and he also received a FG Article 15 on 13 August 2012, for possession of a controlled substance analogue. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 22 August 2012, applicant waived legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: The applicant waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board; even though he was not entitled to a board. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 25 April 2011 / 3 years, 23 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 92 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 92F10, Petroleum Supply Specialist / 1 year, 4 months, 17 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Korea f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Report of Mental Status E valuation, dated 2 May 2012, relates the applicant did not appear to be suffering PTSD or mTBI. The applicant did not appear to be from a behavioral health diagnosis at the time of the reported offenses and was cleared for any administrative actions deemed appropriate by command. FG Article 15, dated 14 May 2012, for violation of a lawful general regulation, by wrongfully consuming alcohol (5 May 2012); drunk, which conduct was of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces (5 May 2012); and violation of a lawful general order, by wrongfully staying off post past the 0100 curfew (5 May 2012); reduction to PVT / E-1, forfeiture of $745 pay for two months (suspended), extra duty for 45 days and restriction for 60 days and an oral reprimand. CID Report of Investigation, dated 3 August 2012, revealed the applicant was under investigation for failing to obey an order. FG Article 15, dated 13 August 2012, for violation of a lawful general order, wrongfully being in the possession of a controlled substance analogue (30 July 2012); forfeiture of $745 pay for two months, extra duty for 45 days and restriction for 60 days and an oral reprimand. The applicant received several negative counseling statements various acts misconduct; and being notified of pending separation action. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages) 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 the characterization of service from general (under honorable conditions) to honorable. The applicant's record of service and the issues 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. By the documented pattern of misconduct, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting an honorable discharge at the time of separation. 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, he is a welder and an upgrade will help him get more jobs and benefits. The Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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 3 February 2021, 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 / 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 AR20180010567 4