1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 29 November 2016 b. Date Received: 8 December 2016 c. Counsel: 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions) or honorable. The applicant states, in pertinent part and in effect, there may have been some procedural errors resulting in an uncharacterized discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 February 2018, the Board determined the discharge to be both proper and equitable, and notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24 contains the erroneous character of service as uncharacterized, in view of the error, by a 5-0 vote, the Board voted to grant relief, and directed an administrative correction to block 24, character of service to read "Honorable." (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200, Chapter 4 / KBK / 1 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 27 May 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: NIF (3) Recommended Characterization: NIF (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / NA 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 20 July 2015 / 8-years MSO (USAR) (Note: ERB shows a BASD of 20 July 2015, and an ETS date of 19 July 2016) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 10 months, 8 days (Note: DD Form 214 shows the applicant "completed first full term of service.") d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: DA Form 4187 (Personnel Action), dated 26 May 2016, shows an approval of the applicant's resignation/declination of service, and further indicating the applicant completed and met the USMAPS course requirements. Discharge Orders, dated 26 May 2016, indicates the applicant was discharged from the US Army Reserve, effective 27 May 2016, according to AR 635-200. There applicant's record of service provides no derogatory information, such as negative counseling statement or an action under the UCMJ. The applicant was discharged at the rank of PV2/E-2. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge), dated 29 November 2016; two attorney letters, dated 17 November 2016 and 4 April 2017; DD Form 214; discharge Orders, dated 26 May 2016; and Superintendent, USMA, letter, dated 20 January 2016. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 4 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of individuals upon completion of required service (i.e., expiration term of service). The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 will be honorable unless the Soldier is in entry-level status. Further, the service of Soldiers in entry-level status will be uncharacterized. A Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty at the time of the discharge or release from active duty. In the case of an ARNGUS or USAR Soldier on active duty (AD) or active duty training (ADT) who is to be discharged, the character of the period of service from which he/she is being discharged will be based solely on military behavior and performance of duty during the current period of service while actually performing AD or ADT. Army Regularion 635-8, paragraph 4-6, for block 24 of the DD Form 214 which specifies RC Soldiers will be awarded an HD upon successful completion of IADT. In pertinent part, it stipulates that correct entry is vital since it affects a Soldier's eligibility for post-service benefits. Paragraph 4-6x(1) states, in pertinent part, that when an RC Soldier successfully completes initial active duty training, the character of service is honorable unless directed otherwise by the separation approval authority. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests to upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. Notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the records shows that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24, character of service as uncharacterized. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation is normally honorable, unless the Soldier is in entry-level status. A Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when separated in entry-level status. In the applicant's case, the record shows he served 10 months and eight days of continuous active duty service; therefore, by the applicant serving beyond 180 days of continuous active duty, he was no longer in an entry-level status. Although 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, an administrative correction to the characterization of service is warranted. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 February 2018, the Board determined the discharge to be both proper and equitable, and notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24 contains the erroneous character of service as uncharacterized, in view of the error, by a 5-0 vote, the Board voted to grant relief, and directed an administrative correction to block 24, character of service to read "Honorable." 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable 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 AR20160019449 1