1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 9 May 2017 b. Date Received: 12 May 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that he was discharged from the Army one month before his contract ended. He contends he never had any disciplinary action against him until the use of the government credit card became an unforeseen issue. Per higher rank of the first sergeant, he was instructed to utilize the government credit card during their annual training. He was informed that the DFAS would take care of it via travel voucher. After a long wait following proper protocol, with the help of the first sergeant, they had no success. Subsequently, he ended up paying the debt in increments until the debt was satisfied. After payment was satisfied, a new commander arrived at the unit, obliviously got involved and expedited his discharged out of the military. The credit card was paid in full two months before his discharge. He was told by the first sergeant, I should be able to re-enter into the service with no problem. Unfortunately, recruiters have had a hard time admitting him back into the service due to his reentry eligibility (RE) code. In a record review hearing conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 August 2018, 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 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 13 May 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: 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: 2 July 2008 / 8 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 27 / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 21W10, Carpentry/Masonry Specialist / 5 years, 10 months, 12 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 2 July 2008 to 28 October 2008 / NA ADT, 29 October 2008 to 11 September 2009 / NIF (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None 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: Online application; DD Form 214 for a prior period of service; and discharge order from the United States Army Reserve, dated 6 May 2014. 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 applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to the former Soldier's discharge from the US Army Reserve. However, the record shows that on 6 May 2014, DA, HQS, 81st regional Support Command, Fort Jackson, SC, Orders 14-126-00041, discharged the applicant from the US Army Reserve, effective 13 May 2014, with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Barring evidence to the contrary, the presumption of government regularity shall prevail, as all the requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant seeks relief contending that he was discharged from the Army one month before his contract ended. He contends he never had any disciplinary action against him until the use of the government credit card became an unforeseen issue. Per higher rank of the first sergeant, he was instructed to utilize the government credit card during their annual training. He was informed that the DFAS would take care of it via travel voucher. After a long wait following proper protocol, with the help of the first sergeant, they had no success. Subsequently, he ended up paying the debt in increments until the debt was satisfied. After payment was satisfied, a new commander arrived at the unit, obliviously got involved and expedited his discharged out of the military. The credit card was paid in full two months before his discharge. He was told by the first sergeant, I should be able to re-enter into the service with no problem. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, a determination as to the merit of these contentions cannot be made because the facts and circumstances leading to the discharge are unknown. The burden of proof remains with the applicant to provide the appropriate documents such as the discharge packet or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board's consideration. The applicant makes reference to his recruiters have had a hard time admitting him back into the service due to his reentry eligibility (RE) code. The evidence of record does not show the applicant was given a RE code at the time of discharge. However, 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 if appropriate. 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 record review hearing conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 August 2018, 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 AR20170007700 1