IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 June 2015 CASE NUMBER: AR20140009303 ___________________________________________________________________________ Board Determination and Directed Action 1. After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the Discussion and Recommendation which follows, the Board determined the discharge to be both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. 2. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant’s discharge, the Board found that the applicant’s DD Form 214, block 24 contains the erroneous character of service of uncharacterized. 3. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 24, character of service to read "Honorable.” Presiding Officer I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Department of the Army Discharge Review Board in this case. THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST AND STATEMENT: 1. The applicant requests to upgrade the characterization of his service from uncharacterized to fully honorable. 2. The applicant states, in effect, as a technician, he would not receive credit for his active service unless he has an honorable discharge. DISCHARGE UNDER REVIEW INFORMATION: a. Application Receipt Date: 27 May 2014 b. Discharge Received: Uncharacterized c. Date of Discharge: 23 November 2006 d. Reason/Authority/SPD/RE Code: Completion of Required Active Service, AR 635- 200, Chapter 4, MBK, NA e. Unit of assignment: Co B, 369th AG Bn, Fort Jackson, SC f. Current Enlistment Date/Term: 10 July 2006, IADT g. Current Enlistment Service: 0 years, 4 months, 14 days h. Total Service: 1 year, 0 months, 1 day i. Time Lost: None j. Previous Discharges: ARNG (051123-060709) / NA k. Highest Grade Achieved: E-1 l. Military Occupational Specialty: 42A10, Human Resources Specialist m. GT Score: 100 n. Education: HS Graduate o. Overseas Service: None p. Combat Service: None q. Decorations/Awards: NDSM; ASR r. Administrative Separation Board: No s. Performance Ratings: None t. Counseling Statements: None u. Prior Board Review: No SUMMARY OF SERVICE: The record shows the applicant enlisted in the Army National Guard on 23 November 2005, for a period of 8 years and reported for his IADT on 10 July 2006. He was 18 years old at the time of entry and a high school graduate. He was trained in and awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 42A10, Human Resources Specialist. His record documents no acts of valor or significant achievement. He completed 1 year and 1 day of active duty and reserve service. SEPARATION FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES: 1. The evidence of record shows that the applicant, upon completing the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training, was awarded MOS 42A10, Human Resources Specialist on 23 November 2006, pursuant to Orders 341-855, dated 7 December 2006, issued by the Mississippi Military Department, AG, Jackson, MS. The Orders further shows the applicant’s assignment to Co C(-), 1st Bn, 114th Avn Bn, Jackson, MS and attached to MSARNG REC & RET Bn, Jackson, MS. 2. The record contains a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature. The DD Form 214 indicates he was released from initial active duty training under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 by reason of completion of required active service, with his service described as uncharacterized. 3. This form further shows, following completion of the MOS training course, the applicant was released from active duty with an effective date of 23 November 2006, and transferred to AG State of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, to continue his service in the Army National Guard. 4. The applicant’s record does not contain any evidence of unauthorized absences or time lost. EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM THE APPLICANT'S RECORD: 1. Orders 341-855 described at the preceding paragraph 1. 2. There are no negative counseling statements or UCMJ actions in the record. EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT: The applicant provided DD Form 214 for service under current review and DD Form 214, dated 26 January 2011. POST-SERVICE ACTIVITY: The applicant states, in effect, he is a technician, and his submitted evidence shows he has achieved the rank of specialist in the Florida Army National Guard. REGULATORY AUTHORITY: 1. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 4 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of individuals upon completion of required service (i.e., expiration term of service). 2. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 will be honorable unless the Soldier is in entry-level status. 3. The service of Soldiers in entry-level status will be uncharacterized. A Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty at the time of the discharge or release from active duty. 4. In the case of an ARNGUS or USAR Soldier on active duty (AD) or active duty training (ADT) who is to be discharged, the character of the period of service from which he/she is being discharged will be based solely on military behavior and performance of duty during the current period of service while actually performing AD or ADT. 5. AR 635-8, paragraph 4-6, for block 24 of the DD 214 which specifies RC Soldiers will be awarded an HD upon successful completion of IADT. In pertinent part, it stipulates that correct entry is vital since it affects a Soldier’s eligibility for post-service benefits. Paragraph 4-6x(1) states, in pertinent part, that when an RC Soldier successfully completes initial active duty training the character of service is honorable unless directed otherwise by the separation approval authority. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: 1. The applicant’s request for an upgrade of the characterization of his discharge was carefully considered. 2. Notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the record shows that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24, character of service as uncharacterized based on the following circumstances: a. The governing regulations provide that an RC Soldier who completes IADT and will be performing additional service after graduation is no longer in entry level status; therefore, is awarded an honorable discharge. b. The evidence shows that the applicant was released from active duty training upon successfully completing his IADT and was transferred to Company B, 369th AG State of Mississippi, Jackson, Mississippi, for additional service. 3. In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that an administrative change be made to block 24, character of service to "honorable." Except for the foregoing modification to the applicant's characterization of service, the discharge was both proper and equitable. SUMMARY OF ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING: Type of Hearing: Records Review Date: 5 June 2015 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? NA Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Board Vote: Character Change: 0 No Change: 5 Reason Change: 0 No Change: 5 (Board member names available upon request) Board Action Directed: Issue a new DD Form 214: Yes Change Characterization to: Honorable [Administrative] Change Reason to: No Change Change Authority for Separation: NA Change RE Code to: NA Grade Restoration to: NA Other: NA Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NA - Not applicable SCM- Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge CID - Criminal investigation Department IADT – Initial Active Duty Training OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UOTHC - Under Other Than FG - Field Grade MP – Military Police RE - Reentry Honorable Conditions ADRB Case Report and Directive (cont) AR20140009303 Page 2 of 5 pages ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (ADRB) CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE 1