IN THE CASE OF:  

BOARD DATE:  15 November 2019

DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190004433


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  The applicant requests his characterization of service be 
changed to reflect 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 he wants his DD Form 214, box 24 which reads 
uncharacterized changed to honorable because his contract was completed 
satisfactory.  

3.  On 25 July 1995, the applicant enlisted in the Army Reserve for 8 years.  His records 
show, on 25 October 1995, he entered the Regular Army to attend initial entry training 
for military occupational skill (MOS) 91D, Tactical Power Generation Specialist.  
However, his records show his training was changed to him earning MOS 91B, Combat 
Medical Specialist.  His records also show he was released and returned to his unit of 
assignment on 16 April 1996.  His DD Form 214 shows:

*	Character of Service:  Uncharacterized
*	Narrative Reason for Separation:  Release from ADT [active duty training]
*	Separation Code: NA
*	Reentry Code:  NA

4.  Regulatory guidance in effect at the time he was separated stated an 
uncharacterized separation is an entry-level separation; for Soldiers ordered to initial 
ADT, entry-level status terminates 180 days after beginning training.  However, current 
guidance states Reserve Component Soldiers completing active duty that results in the 
award of an MOS, even when the active duty period was less than 90 days (for 
example, completion of the advanced individual training component of ARNGUS 
Alternate Training Program or USAR Split Training Program) will receive a character of 
service of Honorable unless directed otherwise by the separation approval authority.
 
5.  The available evidence shows the applicant was called to active duty for training and 
awarded an MOS.  Although his DD Form 214 properly reflects his characterization of 
service as "uncharacterized" in accordance with regulatory guidance in effect at the 
time, based on current guidance and in the interest of equity the characterization of 
service should read as honorable.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and 
evidence in the records.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his record of 
service, his successful completion of required training, award of an MOS and return to 
his USAR unit of assignment upon separation.  The Board considered the Army policy 
pertaining to discharge of USAR Soldiers ordered to active duty for MOS training.  
Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the character of 
service the applicant received upon separation should be corrected as a matter of 
equity.

2.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was warranted.




















BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	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 amending the DD Form 
214 for the period of service ending 16 April 1996 to reflect in item 24 (Character of 
Service) – ‘Honorable’ vice “Uncharacterized.”


 

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 states a separation will be described as an entry level 
separation with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is in 
entry level status, except under specific circumstances.  For Army National Guard 
(ARNG) and USAR Soldiers, entry level status begins upon enlistment in the Army 
National Guard or U.S. Army Reserve and terminates for Soldiers ordered to IADT for 
one continuous period-180 days after beginning training or Soldiers ordered to IADT for 
the split or alternate training option-90 days after beginning Phase II (advanced 
individual training). (Soldiers completing Phase I (basic training or basic combat 
training) remain in entry level status until 90 days after beginning Phase II.   The reason 
and authority for separation will be entered according to Army Regulation 635-5-1.

3.  Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents), currently in effect, 
prescribes the transition processing function of the military personnel system.  It states 
a DD Form 214 will be prepared for Reserve Component (RC) Soldiers awarded an 
MOS even if active duty is less than 90 days.  RC Soldiers completing active duty that 
results in the award of a military occupational specialty (MOS), even when the active 
duty period was less than 90 days (for example, completion of the advanced individual 
training component of the Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) 
Alternate Training Program or USAR Split Training Program).  When a RC Soldier 
successfully completes initial active duty training the character of service is Honorable 
unless directed otherwise by the separation approval authority.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190004433


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
Record of Proceedings


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