IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 16 July 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210008942 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show her narrative reason for separation as "Hardship" instead of "Pregnancy." APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States), dated 29 October 2020 * DD Form 214, for the period ending 22 July 1987 * DD Form 256A (Honorable Discharge Certificate), dated 18 October 1994 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code (USC), Section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states, in effect, she never used her Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan benefits, despite being issued a certificate years ago. She is trying to purchase a home and would like to use this benefit. This was a hardship discharge and she’s requesting the change so she can purchase a single family home. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 15 October 1986. 4. The applicant's record contains a DD Form 3349 (Physical Profile Board Proceedings), approved on 24 April 1987, which was issued for pregnancy. Her PULHES (the acronym used to address factors comprising the Military Physical Profile Serial System) indicates she had a medically recorded deficiency related to her physical capacity or stamina (P), of a temporary nature; however, she had no medically recorded deficiencies related to her upper extremities (U); lower extremities (L); hearing and ears (H); eyes (E); or psychological or psychiatric condition (S). 5. The applicant was counseled on 11 May 1987 regarding her options for continued service after she became pregnant. 6. The applicant's record contains a DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action), dated 18 June 1987, which shows she requested discharge under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), Chapter 8, due to pregnancy. She requested a discharge date of 15 July 1987. 7. The applicant underwent a mental status evaluation on 22 June 1987. The relevant DA Form 3822-R (Report of Mental Status Evaluation) shows she had normal behavior; was fully alert and oriented; and had clear thought process and normal thought content. The evaluating physician determine she had the mental capacity to understand and participate in any administrative proceedings and she was psychiatrically cleared for any administrative action deemed appropriate by her Command. 8. The applicant's commander recommended approval of her request for discharge on 25 June 1987. The commander noted that the applicant was a young immature Soldier who became pregnant one month after arriving in the command. Her immediate return to a family environment, with close relatives to assist her during the pregnancy and in caring for her child, would be in the best interest of the applicant and the U.S. Army. 9. The separation authority approved the applicant’s separation on 26 June 1987, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 8, and directed that she be honorably released from active duty and transferred to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). 10. The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 22 July 1987. Her DD Form 214 confirms she was separated under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 8, by reason of pregnancy. Item 26 (Separation Code) contains the entry "MDF." 11. The applicant provides her Honorable Discharge Certificate, which shows she received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve on 18 October 1994. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief was not warranted. Based upon the available documentation and the facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s separation, the Board concluded the current narrative reason for separation accurately represented the reason and justification for the applicant’s separation. Therefore, the Board found insufficient evidence of an error or injustice which would warrant the requested relief. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING :XXX :XXX :XX DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, Section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the separation codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It states that the separation code "MDF" is the appropriate code to assign to Soldiers separated under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 8, by reason of pregnancy. 3. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 8 establishes policy and procedures and provides authority for voluntary separation of enlisted women because of pregnancy. This chapter applies to all Active Army enlisted women, Army National Guard, and U.S. Army Reserve enlisted women ordered to active duty. Enlisted women who are medically diagnosed as being pregnant may, after her unit commander has counseled her concerning her options, entitlements, and responsibilities, request separation under this chapter. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210008942 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210008942 4 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210008942 3