IN THE CASE OF: Mr. BOARD DATE: 23 January 2015 CASE NUMBER: AR20140003166 ___________________________________________________________________________ Board Determination and Directed Action After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review, and considering the Discussion and Recommendation which follows, the Board determined the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. Presiding Officer I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Department of the Army Discharge Review Board in this case. THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST AND STATEMENT: 1. The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge characterization to honorable. 2. The applicant states, in effect, he believes he should have received an honorable discharge because he had a medical condition that prevented him from performing his duties. He states, he injured his back two weeks after arriving to basic training. DISCHARGE UNDER REVIEW INFORMATION: a. Application Receipt Date: 18 February 2014 b. Discharge Received: Uncharacterized c. Date of Discharge: 10 April 2013 d. Reason/Authority/SPD/RE Code: Entry Level Performance and Conduct, AR 635-200, Chapter 11, JGA, RE-3 e. Unit of assignment: Company A, 1-34th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, SC f. Current Enlistment Date/Term: 29 January 2013/4 years g. Current Enlistment Service: 2 months, 12 days h. Total Service: 2 months, 12 days i. Time Lost: None j. Previous Discharges: None k. Highest Grade Achieved: E-1 l. Military Occupational Specialty: None m. GT Score: 98 n. Education: HS Graduate o. Overseas Service: None p. Combat Service: None q. Decorations/Awards: None r. Administrative Separation Board: NA s. Performance Ratings: NA t. Counseling Statements: Yes u. Prior Board Review: No SUMMARY OF SERVICE: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 29 January 2013, for a period of 4 years. He was 21 years old at the time of entry and a high school graduate. He was in basic training when his discharge proceedings were initiated and completed 2 months and 12 days of active duty service. SEPARATION FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES: 1. The evidence of record shows that on 27 February 2013, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 11, AR 635-200, by reason of entry level performance and conduct for refusal to participate in training, and showing no potential to become a productive Soldier. 2. The unit commander recommended the applicant’s separation from the Army with an uncharacterized discharge and advised the applicant of his rights. 3. On 27 February 2013, the applicant waived his right to consult with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement on his behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended the applicant’s discharge and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. 4. On 1 March 2013, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s separation from the Army with an uncharacterized discharge. 5. The applicant was separated from the Army on 10 April 2013, with an uncharacterized discharge. 6. The applicant’s record of service did not reflect any absences due to time lost. EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM THE APPLICANT'S RECORD: Several negative counseling statements, dated 16 February 2013, for Chapter 11 discharge, missed training, insubordinate conduct towards an NCO, failure to obey an NCO, noncompliance with procedural rules, lack of discipline, and sexual harassment. EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT: The applicant provided a DD Form 293, dated 11 February 2014 and a DD Form 214. POST-SERVICE ACTIVITY: The applicant did not provide any in support of his application. REGULATORY AUTHORITY: 1. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 3-9 contains guidance on entry level separations. It states a separation will be described as entry-level with service uncharacterized if, at the time separation action is initiated, the Soldier has less than 180 days of continuous active duty service. 2. Chapter 11 of Army Regulation 635-200 provides for the separation of personnel due to unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or both, while in an entry level status (ELS). An uncharacterized service description is normally granted to Soldiers separating under this chapter. 3. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: 1. The applicant’s request for an upgrade of the characterization of his discharge was carefully considered. However, after examining the applicant’s record of service, the documents and the issues submitted with the application, there are insufficient mitigating factors to merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. 2. The evidence of record confirms the applicant’s separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Further, the uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant’s overall record of service. An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier’s military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. 3. The separation authority approved the applicant's discharge as entry-level status, with the description of service as uncharacterized. Army Regulation 635-200 provides in pertinent part, that a Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Soldiers who are found to lack the necessary motivation, adaptability, self-discipline, ability, or attitude to become productive Soldiers may be expeditiously separated while in entry-level status. The Regulation also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. 4. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct or performance of duty. The applicant’s service record indicates no such unusual circumstances were present and did not warrant an honorable discharge. 5. The applicant contends his discharge should have been honorable because he had a medical condition that prevented him from performing his duties. However, the service record does not support the applicant’s contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted to corroborate the discharge should have been the result of any medical condition. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service with either medical limitation or medication. 6. The records show the proper discharge and separation authority procedures were followed in this case. 7. Therefore, the reason for discharge and the characterization of service being both proper and equitable, recommend the Board deny relief. SUMMARY OF ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING: Type of Hearing: Records Review Date: 23 January 2015 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? NA Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Board Vote: Character Change: 0 No Change: 5 Reason Change: 0 No Change: 5 (Board member names available upon request) Board Action Directed: Issue a new DD Form 214: No Change Characterization to: No Change Change Reason to: No Change Change Authority for Separation: NA Change RE Code to: NA Grade Restoration to: NA Other: NA Legend: AMHRR - Army Military Human Resource Record FG - Field Grade IADT – Initial Active Duty Training RE - Reentry AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NA - Not applicable SCM- Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge CID - Criminal investigation Department MP – Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions ADRB Case Report and Directive (cont) AR20140003166 Page 4 of 5 pages ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (ADRB) CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE 1