ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	 

	BOARD DATE:  2 July 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170015458


APPLICANT REQUESTS: a correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty) to show (item 24) character of service as general, under 
honorable conditions or honorable. 

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records 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 that his discharge character of service should be changed from 
“Entry Level Status” to “Honorable” or “General, Under Honorable Conditions Discharge 
Certificate."  He believes the record to be in error or unjust because he was discharged 
with separation code (item 26) JGA (Entry Level Status Performance and Conduct or 
Entry Level Status Performance) with a reenlistment code RE-3.  He believes that he 
should have received an Honorable or General, Under Honorable Conditions Discharge 
Certificate due to his discharge for medical reasons.  It is now hard for him to get 
veteran services.  He currently has many medical problems and now he is in need of 
medical care, but without a proper discharge, he cannot receive services.  He needs to 
take care of his medical needs.  He does not have a copy of his DD 214 to send with his 
application.

3.  A review of the applicant’s service record show the following:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 31 January 1985.

	b.  On 8 March 1985, the applicant’s immediate commander notified him of his intent 
to separate him under the provisions of AR (Army Regulation) 635-200 (Personnel 
Separations - Enlisted Personnel), chapter 11 with a narrative reason for separation of 
entry level status performance and conduct and a character of service as entry level 
status.  The reason for his immediate commanders proposed action was for lack of 
motivation.

	c.  On 8 March 1985, the applicant acknowledged his immediate commander’s intent 
to separate him in accordance with AR 635-200, chapter 11.  The applicant waived his 
right to consult with counsel, and did not submit a statement on his own behalf.

	d.  On 8 March 1985, the applicant’s chain of command recommended separation 
under the provision of AR 635-200, chapter 11 for entry level status performance.  

	e.  On 15 March 1985, the separation authority approved separation under the 
provision of AR 635-200, chapter 11 with character of service is uncharacterized.  

	f.  Orders 053-145, dated 18 March 1985, discharged the applicant from active duty 
with an effective date of 21 March 1985.

	g.  He was discharged from active duty on 21 March 1985.  His DD Form 214 
(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) shows he was discharged under 
the provisions of (item 25 separation authority) AR 635-200, chapter 11 for (item 28 
narrative reason for separation) entry level status performance and conduct (item 24 
character of service) narrative reason as entry level status.  It further shows he 
completed 1 month, and 21 days of active duty service.

4.  By regulation, chapter 11-2 states that when separation of a Soldier in entry level 
status is warranted by unsatisfactory performance or minor disciplinary infractions (or 
both) as evidenced by a) Inability, b) lack of reasonable effort, or c) failure to adapt to 
the military environment, the Soldier normally will be separated per this chapter.  
However, nothing in this chapter prevents separation under another provisions of this 
regulation when such a separation is warranted.  Paragraph 11-3a, of this regulation 
states this policy applies to Soldiers who have demonstrated that they are not qualified 
for retention.  The following conditions are illustrations of conduct that does not qualify 
for retention a) cannot or will not adapt socially or emotionally to military life b) cannot 
meet the minimum standards prescribed for successful completion of training because 
of lack of aptitude, ability, motivation or self-discipline.

5.  By regulation, Army Regulation (AR) 635-5 (Separation Documents) 

*	Item 24 (Character of Service) authorized entries are honorable, under honorable 
conditions (general), under other than honorable conditions, bad conduct, 
dishonorable, to be determined 
*	Item 25 (Separation Authority) enter the regulatory or statutory authority cited in 
directives authorizing separation 
*	Item 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) enter the reason for separation 
(shown in AR 635-5-1) based on the regulatory or statutory authority  
6.  By regulation (AR 635-5-1), Soldiers separating under the provisions of 
chapter 11 of AR 635-200 are assigned separation code JGA.  The Narrative Reason 
for Separation associated with this chapter and separation Code is "Entry level status 
performance and conduct."  

7.  In reaching its determination, the Board can consider the applicants petition and his 
service record in accordance with the published equity, injustice, or clemency 
determination guidance.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is 
insufficient evidence to grant relief.  The governing regulation provides that a separation 
will be described as an entry-level separation, with service uncharacterized, if the 
separation action is initiated while a Soldier is in entry-level status.  As such, his 
DD Form 214 properly shows his service as uncharacterized.

2.  An uncharacterized discharge is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier’s 
military service.  It merely means the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for 
his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise.  As a result, there 
is no basis for granting the applicant's request.  

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

: X	:X	:X	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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
(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 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), in effect at 
the time, sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.

	a.  Paragraph 1-13a (Honorable Discharge) states that an honorable discharge is a 
separation with honor.  Issuance of an Honorable Discharge Certificate is predicated 
upon proper military behavior and proficient performance of duty during the member’s 
current enlistment or period of obligated service with due consideration for the 
member’s age, length of service, grade, and general aptitude.

	b.  Paragraph 1-13b (General Discharge) states that a general discharge is a 
separation from the Army under honorable conditions.  It is issued to a member whose 
military record is satisfactory but not sufficiently meritorious to warrant an honorable 
discharge.  The recipient of a general discharge is normally a member whose military 
record and performance is satisfactory.

	c.  Chapter 11 of this regulation provides that when separation of a Soldier in entry 
level status is warranted by unsatisfactory performance or minor disciplinary infractions 
(or both) as evidenced by a) Inability, b) lack of reasonable effort, or c) failure to adapt 
to the military environment, the Soldier normally will be separated per this chapter.  
However, nothing in this chapter prevents separation under another provisions of this 
regulation when such a separation is warranted.  Paragraph 11-3a, of this regulation 
states this policy applies to Soldiers who have demonstrated that they are not qualified 
for retention.  The following conditions are illustrations of conduct that does not qualify 
for retention a) cannot or will not adapt socially or emotionally to military life b) cannot 
meet the minimum standards prescribed for successful completion of training because 
of lack of aptitude, ability, motivation or self-discipline.

3.  Army Regulation (AR) 635-5 (Separation Documents) 

*	Item 24 (Character of Service) authorized entries are honorable, under 
honorable conditions (general), under other than honorable conditions, bad 
conduct, dishonorable, to be determined 
*	Item 25 (Separation Authority) enter the regulatory or statutory authority cited in 
directives authorizing separation 
*	Item 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) enter the reason for separation 
(shown in AR 635-5-1) based on the regulatory or statutory authority  
4.  AR 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designators), Soldiers separating under the 
provisions of chapter 11 of AR 635-200 are assigned Separation Code JGA.  The 
Narrative Reason for Separation associated with this chapter and separation Coder is 
"Entry level status performance and conduct."  

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170015458
	
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