IN THE CASE OF:  

BOARD DATE:  17 September 2019

DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190009278


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  The applicant requests to change his character of service 
from uncharacterized to honorable.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) 

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 would like to change his “uncharacterized” character of 
service.  At some point between 2004 and 2006 his “dog tags” were stolen in the same 
timeframe he received a letter from the Army that his identity was stolen.  He does not 
know the results.  Prior to his discharge he lost a few of his friends.  He was 19 years 
old and his mind was a wreck.  He lost track of thinking for himself.                 

3.  On 20 August 1997, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) for a period of 8 
years.  

4.  On 8 October 1997, the applicant was ordered to initial active duty for training (IADT) 
for the purpose of completing basic and military occupational specialty (MOS) training.  
His DD Form 214 shows:

*	8 October 1997, he entered active duty this period  
*	he completed the Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic course in March 1998 and 
was awarded MOS 63B (Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic)    
*	14 March 1998, he completed IADT and was released from active duty 
training and transferred to his USAR unit
*	he completed 5 months and 7 days of net active service this period
*	his character of service was listed as “uncharacterized”

5.  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 the Army 
National Guard of the United States (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.

6.  The available evidence shows the applicant was ordered 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, 
evidence in the records and published DoD guidance for consideration of discharge 
upgrade requests.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, this record of 
active duty, the award of an MOS and his discharge that returned him to his USAR unit 
of assignment.  The Board considered the current policy that applies to Reserve 
Component Soldiers on active duty for the purpose of completing requirements for an 
MOS.  Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that for purposes 
of equity, the applicant’s character of service should be corrected.

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




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 amending the applicant’s 
DD Form 214 for the period of service ending 14 March 1998 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 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel) in effect at 
the time of the Soldiers separation, sets policies, standards, and procedures to insure 
the readiness and competency of the force while providing for the orderly administrative 
separation of Soldiers for a variety of reasons.  The regulation stated an 
uncharacterized separation is an entry-level separation.  For Soldiers ordered to initial 
ADT, entry-level status terminates 180 days after beginning training. 

3.  Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) currently in effect, 
prescribes the transition processing function of the military personnel system.  The 
regulation contains guidance in paragraph 5-6x stating for Block 24 (Characterization of 
Service) the correct entry is vital since it affects a Soldier’s eligibility for post-service 
benefits.   Characterization or description of service is determined by directive 
authorizing separation.  It states “When a Reserve Component Soldier successfully 
completes initial active duty training the character of service is honorable unless 
directed otherwise by the separation approval authority.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190009278
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190009278
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20190009278


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