ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECRDS Record of Proceedings IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 June 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190003864 APPLICANT REQUESTS: The applicant request her uncharacterized discharge be upgraded to honorable APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge) * Department of Veterans Affairs letter 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 she was an honorable Soldier and was told she was being medically discharged. She is looking for this to be rectified by the Department of the Army. 3. On 28 June 1991, the applicant underwent a medical examination, qualifying her for the Army National Guard. 4. On 30 August 1991, she enlisted in the Army National Guard for eight years. 5. On 7 February 1992, the applicant received acute medical care by an Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) doctor on Fort Jackson. 6. On 21 February 1992, the applicant was counseled by the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Liaison Noncommissioned Officer (NCO), notifying her she would be separated because of a medical condition that Existed Prior to Service (EPTS); her loss of benefits were explained during that time. The applicant refused to sign the counseling; the TRADOC Liaison NCO initialed showing she was counseled. 7. On 10 March 1992, a Report of Separation and Record of Service was completed showing the applicant did not complete Initial Entry Training (IET). 8. On 13 March 1992, the applicant was released from active duty and discharged as Reserve of the Army under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 with narrative reason "Did Not Meet Procurement Medical Fitness Standard No Disability." Her character of service was uncharacterized. She completed 1 month and 28 days of net active service. 9. The applicant is advised an uncharacterized discharge is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier’s military service. It merely means that the Soldier had not been in the Army long enough for his character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is insufficient evidence to grant relief. 1. The Board found that the discharge characterization is correct as the applicant’s record indicates that the applicant had a preexisting condition that resulted in the applicant being discharged prior to completion of initial entry training. 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. The applicant served less than 180 days on active duty and was in an entry level status. As such, her DD Form 214 properly shows her 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): Not Applicable 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 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. a. Paragraph 3-9 provides that a separation will be described as entry level with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is in an entry-level status. For Regular Army Soldiers, entry-level status is the first 180 days of continuous active duty. b. Paragraph 5-11, states Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards when accepted for enlistment or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty will be separated. Medical proceedings, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by an appropriate military medical authority within 6 months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty for the Regular Army that: (1) Would have permanently or temporarily disqualified him or her for entry into the military service or entry on active duty had it been detected at that time; and (2) Does not disqualify him or her for retention in the military service per Army Regulation 40-501, chapter 3. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//