Advice for appearing before Discharge Review Board

[letsjustgo]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? IL

I am set to appear before the Army Discharge Review Board this month regarding an OTH I received at PCF, Ft. Knox as an AWOL trainee in Spring 2007. I've done much searching and found valuable information but am posting today with the hope that others who have gone through this process before might offer up some advice on how I should prepare for the board.

I have a clean (if brief) military record and clean civilian record. I was recently accepted to graduate school for Fall 2009 and have been working full-time as an academic staff person for a Big 10 university research project. I plan to bring in a letter of recommendation I received when applying to graduate school and a letter from a soldier currently serving as an 11b who I trained with and can vouch for my character. I was also given an OCS recommendation by our CO during OSUT and hope to produce some documentation for that as well.

The reason I am seeking an upgrade is because I hope to return to duty. I recognize that this is nearly impossible but I need to do everything in my power to at least make an attempt. My argument is weak - that I would not have gone AWOL had we not been sent home for Xmas Exodus (I only had 2 weeks left to graduate) and was put under extreme pressure by friends and family upon my return. I take responsibility for my actions and their consequences -- I only hope to state the facts and show that based upon my civilian and military record given second chance to serve I would do so honorably. Again, I understand and recognize that my chances are slim, but I have to try.

If anyone has any advice on how to best prepare for the discharge review board or has other general advice I would greatly appreciate your insight.

[BsBfrantic]

on my husbands discharge papers for oth its says he can re enlist in 2 years..... maybe check yours over.

[letsjustgo]

Unfortunately, my irresponsible conduct warranted a reenlistment code of 4, which makes me ineligible for re-enlistment. I am hoping that after upgrading my discharge I can set off on the more difficult path of changing my reenlistment code.

Thank you for your response. And I wish you and your husband the best of luck!

[letsjustgo]

Originally Posted by BsBfrantic

on my husbands discharge papers for oth its says he can re enlist in 2 years..... maybe check yours over.

I went back and checked out some of your previous posts. Looks like your husband also went AWOL and turned himself in at PCF. How did he manage to stay eligible for reenlistment?

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by letsjustgo

I went back and checked out some of your previous posts. Looks like your husband also went AWOL and turned himself in at PCF. How did he manage to stay eligible for reenlistment?

He didn't. Her posts are all fantasy and not accurate.

[BsBfrantic]

lol Yes fantasies. Because a husband going awol is an amazing one! I'm just on here to tell a positive story and some truth instead of putting people down. and HELP if i can. I remember coming on here being scared and not knowing what to do- and just getting negative put downs by people and advice that wasn't the truth because people wanted him to get screwed..... My nephew went to Iraq and Afghanistan and went awol 6 months before his enlistment was up because he was mentally messed up- he got an honorable discharge without even turning himself in. He gets his benefits and everything- small price to pay for his sanity? Not everyone looks down on awol soldiers. Even other soldiers. (or maybe these are just some more fantasies lol) I support awol soldiers just as much as the ones who serve. Just as some people like tomatoes, some don't.



My husband was very straight-forward about why he left. He was a very good soldier when he was in, high test scores, etc. They still wanted him. He never did anything wrong except refuse to do push ups right before he went awol and go awol. Maybe some reasons? We have no idea exactly that's just what his paperwork states. It amazed us. With some guys he was there with they got 3 years, 5 years, and some can never join again. But some not only went awol but had dirty drug tests, etc. Do you have an attorney? I don't know much about the upgrade process or if you can use one, but there are pro bono ones out there. Some even list themselves on line. I'd link you but it's probably against rules. Best of luck to you!

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by BsBfrantic

lol Yes fantasies. Because a husband going awol is an amazing one! I'm just on here to tell a positive story and some truth instead of putting people down. and HELP if i can. I remember coming on here being scared and not knowing what to do- and just getting negative put downs by people and advice that wasn't the truth because people wanted him to get screwed..... My nephew went to Iraq and Afghanistan and went awol 6 months before his enlistment was up because he was mentally messed up- he got an honorable discharge without even turning himself in. He gets his benefits and everything- small price to pay for his sanity? Not everyone looks down on awol soldiers. Even other soldiers. (or maybe these are just some more fantasies lol) I support awol soldiers just as much as the ones who serve. Just as some people like tomatoes, some don't.



My husband was very straight-forward about why he left. He was a very good soldier when he was in, high test scores, etc. They still wanted him. He never did anything wrong except refuse to do push ups right before he went awol and go awol. Maybe some reasons? We have no idea exactly that's just what his paperwork states. It amazed us. With some guys he was there with they got 3 years, 5 years, and some can never join again. But some not only went awol but had dirty drug tests, etc. Do you have an attorney? I don't know much about the upgrade process or if you can use one, but there are pro bono ones out there. Some even list themselves on line. I'd link you but it's probably against rules. Best of luck to you!

If you don't know much about the subject, how do you expect to help?