ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  4 November 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170015452


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  reconsideration of his previous request for an upgrade of his 
uncharacterized character of service to honorable.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

FACTS:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the 
previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20110015134 on 9 February 2012.

2.  The applicant provided new evidence and arguments not previously considered by 
the Board that warrants consideration at this time.

3.  Applicant states he regrets any unfortunate circumstances that led to the 
uncharacterized discharge he received.

4.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

	a.  He enlisted in the South Carolina Army National Guard (SCARNG) on 22 June 
1988. 

	b.  He entered Initial Active Duty for Training (IADT), completed training, and was 
awarded the military occupational specialty (MOS) of cannon crewman on 14 December 
1988.

	c.  His DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) for 
period ending 15 December 1988, shows he completed 3 months, and 3 days of active 
service during that period.

	d.  He was honorably discharged from the ARNG effective 24 February 2000.

	e.  ABCMR Docket Number AR20110015134, shows on 9 February 2012, the Board 
considered his petition but found no error or injustice.  The Board denied his request to 
change the character of service to honorable. 

5.  Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3–9 provides a separation will be described as 
entry-level with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is in 
entry-level status, except when the Soldier has less than 181 days of continuous active 
military service, has completed Initial Entry Training, has been awarded an MOS, and 
has reported for duty at a follow-on unit of assignment.

6.  The Board should consider the applicant's submissions in accordance with the 
published equity, injustice, or clemency determination guidance.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the relief 
was warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  He completed a 
period of active duty while conducting initial entry training (IET).  He was awarded a 
MOS at the completion of IET and was transferred back to the ARNG.  Army Regulation 
635-200 provides that when a RC Soldier successfully completes IADT, the character of 
service is Honorable unless directed otherwise by the separation authority.  Based upon 
regulatory guidance, the Board agreed the DD Form 214 should show his character of 
service as Honorable.


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

X	X	X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION








BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of 
the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by reissuing him a DD Form 
214 for the period ending 15 December 1988 showing his character of service as 
Honorable.

	  
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:

Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3–9 provides a separation will be described as 
entry-level with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is in 
entry-level status, except when—

     a.  Characterization under other than honorable conditions is authorized under the 
reason for separation and is warranted by the circumstances of the case.
     
     b.  HQDA (AHRC–EPR–F), on a case-by-case basis, determines that 
characterization of service as honorable is clearly warranted by the presence of unusual 
circumstances involving personal conduct and performance of duty. This 
characterization is authorized when the Soldier is separated by reason of selected 
changes in service obligation, convenience of the Government, and Secretarial plenary 
authority.

     c.  The Soldier has less than 181 days of continuous active military service, has 
completed Initial Entry Training, has been awarded an MOS, and has reported for duty 
at a follow-on unit of assignment.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170015452

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