DRB 2015-048 

Applicable Policy 

Military Separations Manual:  1.B.15 prescribes standards for processing individuals for Separation for Miscellaneous/General Reasons.  

Summary of Service/Disciplinary Action 

Age at enlistment in USCG: 18 
Periods of unauthorized absences: None  
Civil actions: None 

Military Actions:  

Non Judicial Punishment: 7/8/2014: Article 86: Absence without leave: The applicant did not report to work when liberty expired for all hands due to their incarceration in Galveston City Jail. 
Court Martial: None 

Highest rating achieved: SN 
ASVAB AFQT: 80 
Active service completed: 3 years, 0 months, 11 days 
 

Applicant’s Issues and Documentation 

Documentation: In addition to the service record, the following additional documentation, submitted by the applicant, was considered: 

DD Form 293 
Supporting Documentation 

Issues:  The applicant states they should receive an Honorable Discharge as noted on the Separation Authorization.  

Board’s Discussion and Conclusion 

DISCUSSION: The applicant was discharged for Separation For Miscellaneous/General Reasons in the Spring of 2015.   

The applicant received two alcohol incidents in 2014 that led to the Discharge for Unsuitability.  

The Board finds no issues with propriety or equity in this case. The applicant was notified of the intent to discharge, and the applicant was advised of the right to an attorney. The applicant declined to make a statement and did not object to the discharge.   

The Board does note the administrative error made on the Separation Summary issued that reads Under Honorable Conditions in the top section, and then Honorable in the remarks section. The character of service recommendations at the unit and District level were both listed as Honorable. There is no information within the record showing that the Separation Authority decided to opt for Under Honorable Conditions. The Servicing Personnel Office issued a General character of service in Block 24 of the DD-214. 

Due to the administrative inconsistency pointed out by the applicant, the Board recommends correcting to an Honorable discharge. At a minimum, Block 24 should be amended to Under Honorable Conditions per the previous policy issued in ALCOAST 562/08, a General discharge is no longer considered an official character of service. The cause for this secondary error was due to the Direct Access upgrade to the 9.1 version at the start of calendar year 2015 in which the programmers listed General vice Under Honorable Conditions as an option for Block 24. The list of entries for Block 24 has since been reprogrammed by COMDT (CG-631).     

RECOMMENDATION:  The Board members thoroughly reviewed the applicant’s record of service and all available documentation. 

Propriety: Discharge was proper. 
Equity: 	Discharge was equitable. 
Board Conclusion: The Board voted 5-0 to administratively change to an Honorable discharge based on the conflicting data on the Separation summary issued.