1. Applicant’s Name: a. Application Date: 7 May 2015 b. Date Received: 11 May 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests to upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he successfully completed basic and advanced individual trainings after seven months and 16 days. He returned to his unit and deployed the following summer. He completed his Army career with the Minnesota National Guard as an E-5 after six years. The change to the characterization of his service is necessary for him to continue processing the required documents to apply his military time in his current federal career. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 August 2016, although the Board determined the discharge to be both proper and equitable and 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 as uncharacterized. In view of the error, by a 5-0 vote, the Board voted to grant relief, and directed an administrative correction to block 24, character of service to read “Honorable.” (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason/Authority/Codes/Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200, Chapter 4 / MBK / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 5 October 2007 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: NIF (3) Recommended Characterization: NIF (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: N/A (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: NIF / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 20 February 2007 / Pursuant to Orders for 24 weeks or completed of basic and MOS training b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 24 / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-3 / 15Q10, Air Traffic Control Operator / 7 Months and 26 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: ARNG, 10 February 2007 – 19 February 2007 / NA e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: ASR g. Performance Ratings: N/A h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: Orders 7043007, dated 12 February 2007, indicates the applicant was ordered to report to 30th Adjutant General Battalion, Fort Benning, GA on 21 February 2007, for basic training and to report for advanced individual training on 8 May 2007, at Fort Rucker, AL, both for a period of 24 weeks or completion of basic and MOS training. i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Applicant for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States), dated 7 May 2015, and three DD Forms 214 for period ending 5 October 2007, 31 May 2008, and 8 June 2009. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Following his discharge under current review, the applicant returned to his unit and deployed the following summer. He has since completed his Army career with the Minnesota National Guard as an E-5 after six years. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): 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). 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. Further, 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. 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. Army Regularion 635-8, paragraph 4-6, for block 24 of the DD Form 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests to upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant’s available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. Notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant’s discharge, the records 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: The governing regulations provide that an RC Soldier who completed IADT and will be performing additional service after graduation is no longer in entry level status; therefore, is awarded an honorable discharge. The evidence shows that the applicant was released from active duty training upon successfully completing IADT and was transferred to Company G, 147th ATS, 15000 HWY 115, Little Falls, Minnesota, for additional service. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 August 2016, although the Board determined the discharge to be both proper and equitable and 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 as uncharacterized. In view of the error, by a 5-0 vote, the Board voted to grant relief, and directed an administrative correction to block 24, character of service to read “Honorable.” 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change e. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: NA AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: COL, US ARMY Presiding Officer Army Discharge Review Board 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 BH – Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OMPF - Official Military Personnel File TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP – Military Police – PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS – Entry Level Status MST – Military Sexual Trauma RE - Reentry UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150008394 3