1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 18 November 2016 b. Date Received: 21 November 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 5-8 states that the characterization of service for an involuntary separation due to parenthood is governed by paragraph 5-1. Paragraph 5-1 mandates that for a Soldier to be given a general (under honorable conditions) discharge, they must be notified of the specific factors in his/her service record that warrant such a characterization. She contends she was notified that involuntary separation was being initiated, both CPT R. and LTC R., recommended her characterization of service as honorable. However, the approving authority approved her discharge as general (under honorable conditions). At no point was this characterization of service discussed with her nor did she receive notification or counseling as to the specifics factors that warranted the characterization she received. Throughout her time in service she served proudly and honorably. She has never been reprimanded for any negative behavior or misconduct. She was the honor graduate in her Optometry class at Fort Sam Houston of which she received an AAM, and she received another AAM for her contributions to the preparation of Optometry service during the FY 16 Joint Commission inspection of the Kenner Army Health Clinic. In addition she received two Certificate of Achievements throughout her time at KAHC. For the above reasons, she is requesting a change to her characterization of service. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 14 February 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The records show the proper discharge and separation procedures were not followed in this case as no misconduct is evident. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Parenthood / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-8 / JDG / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 9 September 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 2 August 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: being unable to satisfy her military obligation and not considered available for world-wide assignments based on parenthood. She was counseled on 30 March 2016 on the requirements to maintain a valid Family Care Plan. On 6 May 2016, she was counseled a second time on the importance of a Family Care Plan and authorized a 30 day extension in order to meet this obligation. She failed to adequately provide a valid Family Care Plan and indicated that she has exhausted all efforts in doing so. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 4 August 2016 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 18 August 2016 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 6 May 2014 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 31 / 6 years (Master's Degree) / 118 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 68Y10, Eye Specialist / 2 years, 4 months, 4 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AAM-2, NDSM, GWOTSM, NOPDR, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Development Counseling Form's for failing to have a valid family care plan and having an incomplete family care plan. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-8 provides that a Soldier may be separated when parental obligations interfere with fulfillment of military responsibilities. Specific reasons for separation because of parenthood include inability to perform prescribed duties satisfactorily, repeated absenteeism, late for work, inability to participate in field training exercises or perform special duties such as CQ and Staff Duty NCO, and non-availability for worldwide assignment or deployment according to the needs of the Army. Unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a Soldier being separated for the convenience of the government will be awarded a character of service of honorable, general under honorable conditions or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level status. No Soldier will be awarded a characterization of service under honorable conditions under this Chapter unless the Soldier is notified, using the notification procedure, of the specific factors in his/her service record that warrant such a characterization. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-1(b) states that no Soldier will be awarded a character of service under honorable conditions under this chapter unless the Soldier is notified of the specific factors in his/her service record that warrant such a characterization, using the notification procedure. The record confirms that the applicant was not properly notified of the specific factors in the service record that warranted such a characterization. The record shows the proper discharge and separation authority procedures were not followed in this case. The discharge was not consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was not within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was not provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 14 February 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The records show the proper discharge and separation procedures were not followed in this case as no misconduct is evident. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change f. Restore Grade to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer 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 NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160019733 1