MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           25 February 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-07983
                                              AR1999020707

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. William Blakely		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James M. Alward		Chairperson	
	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Member	
	Mr. Samuel Calderon		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, that her uncharacterized discharge be upgraded.

APPLICANT STATES:  That in order to process her claim to the Veterans Administration for a knee injury she received in the Army her uncharacterized discharge needs to be change. 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant enlisted in the Army Reserve on 17 May 1996.  She was ordered to active duty on 26 July 1996 to complete her initial active duty for training.  Upon completion of her initial active duty for training on 20 November 1996, she was released from active duty under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 4, completion of required active service.  Her service was uncharacterized.  She completed 3 months and 25 days of total active service during her initial active duty for training.

The applicant submitted a request for upgrade of her discharge and a change of the narrative reason to the Army Discharge Review Board, and it was denied on 2 December 1998.

Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 4 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for expiration of enlistment of their service obligation.  Paragraph 4-2(h) specifically provides for the separation of ARNGUS and USAR soldiers upon completion of their initial active duty for training.  It further states that the service of ARNGUS and USAR soldiers separated in an entry level status (entry level status is defined as the first 180 days of continuous active duty) will be uncharacterized, even though they have completed their initial active duty for training.  

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The applicant’s release from active duty was accomplished in compliance with applicable regulations with no indication of procedural errors which would tend to jeopardize her rights.

2.  The applicant’s service was appropriately described as being uncharacterized based on her being in an entry level status, since she only completed 3 months and 25 days of total active service. 

3.  Regulatory guidance directs that the service of ARNGUS and USAR soldiers released from active duty who are in an entry level status upon completion of their initial active duty for training, will be uncharacterized.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X____  ____X____  ____X____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-07983/AR1999020707	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990225	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	1996/11/20	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200, chapter 4.  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Completion of required Service	
BOARD DECISION	(, DENY,)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	 189	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.