IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 November 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190007549 APPLICANT REQUESTS: That the characterization of service on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be changed from "uncharacterized to honorable." APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * Orders 103-11, Military Entrance Processing Station, dated 22 May 1992 * Letter, from the United States Postal Service, dated 24 April 2019 * Certificates for Completion of Basic Training (x2) 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 completed Initial Active Duty Training (IADT) then he was released to his Reserve Unit for completion of his service obligation with no disciplinary actions. He was employed by the United States (US) Postal Service from 1 June to 25 September 1992; now he is trying to buy back his military time. However, his DD 214 lists, in effect, his Narrative Reason for Separation as “Release from Active Duty Training” and his character of service as “Uncharacterized." His character of service was honorable and his DD Form 214 should reflect it. The US Postal Service will only accept separations that are considered honorable. He has included a US Postal Service letter that he was provided. 3. On an unknown date, the applicant enlisted in the United States Army Reserve (USAR). He entered active to complete initial entry training (IET) from 1 June to 25 September 1992 and he was awarded military occupational specialty 13E (Cannon Fire Direction Specialist). He completed 3 months and 25 days of creditable active service. His DD Form 214 also reflects: * Item 23 (Type of Separation) – Release from active duty (ADT) * Item 24 (Character of Service) – Uncharacterized * Item 25 (Separation Authority) – Army Regulation (AR) 635-200, Paragraph 4-2A * Item 26 (Separation Code) – MDD * Item 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) – Completion of Required ADT 4. The applicant provides: * Orders 103-11, ordering him to IADT, effective 1 June 1992 * Letter, from the United States Postal Service, explaining the different types of honorable service * Certificates showing completion of basic training and the Cannon Fire Direction specialist Course 5. The applicant requests an upgrade. The available evidence shows the applicant was called to active duty for training, awarded an MOS prior to being released and returned to his reserve unit of assignment. Although his DD Form 214 properly reflects the characterization of service as "uncharacterized" according to regulatory guidance in effect at the time; effective 1 March 2014 regulatory guidance changed and provides entry level soldier who complete IADT and are awarded an MOS will be given an honorable discharge; unless other characterization is directed by the separation authority; based on this 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 completion of required training, award of an MOS and return to his USAR unit of assignment upon separation from active duty. The Board considered the Army policy pertaining to separation documents for Reserve Component Soldiers ordered to active duty for the purpose of 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 25 September 1992 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): NA 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 ARNG or USAR 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. 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 an MOS, even when the active duty period was less than 90 days (for example, completion of the AIT component of the ARNG of the United States Alternate Training Program or USAR Split Training Program). When a RC Soldier successfully completes IADT the character of service is Honorable unless directed otherwise by the separation approval authority. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190007549 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190007549 4 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190007549 3