1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 3 April 2016 b. Date Received: 14 April 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant in his application checked the general (under honorable conditions) block; however, at the time of discharge he was issued an uncharacterized discharge. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, his discharge was improper because the day prior to the physical training test; he was sent on a field training exercise instead of being able to rest for the test; he was able to get only four hours of sleep before the test. He was treated unfairly by his drill sergeant by not changing the test date. He is attempting to reenlist and his discharge prevents him from doing so. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 July 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200 / Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 4 December 2014 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 26 November 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons for his discharge; he failed to complete the Army Physical Fitness Test with a passing score of 50 points in each event. He was given multiple chances to improve his score, and did not met the standard. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 26 November 2014, the applicant waived his right to legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 1 December 2014 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 16 April 2013 / 8 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 17 years / HS Graduate / 102 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / None / 31B10, Military Police / 1 year, 7 months, 19 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: IADT, 12 June 2013 to 23 August 2013 / NA ARNG, 24 August 2013 to 13 August 2014 / NA AD, 14 August 2014 to 4 December 2014 / UNC (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: He received several negative counseling statements for various acts of misconduct; failing PT tests and being notified of pending separation action. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages) 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 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. Chapter 11 of AR 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. 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant's record of service and the issues submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. 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. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The applicant seeks relief contending, his discharge was improper because the day prior to the physical training test; he was sent on a field training exercise instead of being able to rest for the test; and he was able to get only four hours of sleep before the test. The applicant bears the burden of presenting substantial and credible evidence to support this contention. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that his discharge was improper. The applicant further contends, he was treated unfairly by his drill sergeant by not changing the test date. The record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant also contends, he is attempting to reenlist and his discharge prevents him from doing so. 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 characterization of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. Based on Army Regulation 635-5-1 and the SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table, the applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 3. There was no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 July 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214 / Issue a New Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change f. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160008168 4