Opinion ID: 706912
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Edward Hodges

Text: 14 Hodges enlisted in the Army in 1954, and served in Korea. Upon returning to the United States, Hodges took a 30-day leave to see his fiancee, and during his visit they broke off their engagement. Hodges reported to duty in Kansas, but stayed drunk for most of the next several months. He was disciplined for minor offenses and later failed to report for duty. He pleaded guilty in a general court-martial for absence without leave and was subsequently discharged under other than honorable conditions in 1957. 15 In 1979, 22 years after his discharge, Hodges first inquired about changing his discharge classification. He finally completed his application to the Board in 1985. In his application, Hodges claimed that he did not know a discharge upgrade was possible until recently. In addition, he submitted evidence of his personal problems and alcohol abuse. 16 The Board denied Hodges' application. In its opinion, the Board noted Hodges' contention that his discharge classification was unduly harsh, but did not address the merits of this argument. The Board found that the alleged error or injustice was, or with reasonable diligence should have been, discovered on the date of his discharge. The Board further stated, in language virtually identical to that used for Haire and Dickson: 17 The subject application was not submitted within the time required. The applicant has not presented, nor do the records contain, sufficient justification to establish that it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to file within the time prescribed by law.