1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 16 March 2017 b. Date Received: 30 March 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The evidence of record shows the applicant received an honorable discharge at the time of separation. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was unaware of the RE code assigned when discharged; and no one from the unit informed the applicant there was not an option to reenlist. The applicant was dealing with serious family issues, the applicant's mother was addicted to drugs and was responsible for taking care of three younger brothers. The applicant missed several drills due to the fact that they were homeless and staying with family / friends. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 9 January 2019 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: NIF / AR 135-178 / NA / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 29 September 2009 c. Separation Facts: No (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: NIF (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 15 August 2007 / USAR, to complete Reserve Obligation Termination date of 25 September 2009. b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 years / GED Certificate / 123 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 11C10, Indirect Fire Infantryman / 8 years, 4 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 26 September 2001 to 10 February 2002 / NA IADT, 11 February 2002 to 21 June 2002 / HD ARNG, 22 June 2002 to 15 September 2003 / GD USARCG, 16 September 2003 to 14 August 2007 / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: ASR g. Performance Ratings: NIF h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: NIF i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: NIF j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages); and a REDD Report. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 135-178 sets forth the policies, standards, and procedures to ensure the readiness and competency of the U.S. Army while providing for the orderly administrative separation of Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) enlisted Soldiers for a variety of reasons. The separation policies throughout the different Chapters in this regulation promote the readiness of the Army by providing an orderly means to judge the suitability of persons to serve on the basis of their conduct and their ability to meet required standards of duty performance and discipline. Specific categories include minor disciplinary infractions, a pattern of misconduct, and commission of a serious offense, to include abuse of illegal drugs, and convictions by civil authorities. The characterization is based upon the quality of the Soldier's service, including the reason for separation and determined in accordance with standards of acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty as found in the UCMJ, Army regulations, and the time-honored customs and traditions of the Army. The reasons for separation, including the specific circumstances that form the basis for the discharge are considered on the issue of characterization. Possible characterizations of service include an honorable, general, under honorable conditions, under other than honorable conditions, or uncharacterized if the Soldier is in entry-level status. However, the permissible range of characterization varies based on the reason for separation. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The evidence of record shows the applicant received an honorable discharge at the time of his separation. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and document submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of AR 135-178. The applicant bears the burden of presenting substantial and credible evidence to support his request to change the reason for his discharge. There is no evidence in the available record, nor has the applicant provided any evidence, to support the request that the reason for his discharge was improper or inequitable. The applicant's contentions were carefully considered regarding, he was unaware of the RE code assigned when he was discharged; and no one from his unit informed him he would not be able to reenlist; he was dealing with serious family issues, his mother was addicted to drugs and he was responsible for taking care of his three younger brothers; and he missed several drills due to the fact that they were homeless and staying with family / friends. However, the merit of these contentions cannot be substantiated because the facts and circumstances leading to the discharge are not contained in the available record. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it is his responsibility to meet the burden of proof and provide the appropriate documents (i.e., the discharge packet) or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board's consideration because they are not available in the official record. Based on the available record, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 9 January 2019 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 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 AR20170006631 1