1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 24 May 2017 b. Date Received: 30 May 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions). The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, it was not her fault to being discharged for her medical condition. She was injured in basic training. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 3 October 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: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200, Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 8 October 2013 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 26 September 2013 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was unable to complete BCT due to an injury she sustained during training. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 26 September 2013 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: In an undated memorandum / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 6 August 2013 / Pursuant to her Certificate and Acknowledgment of USAR Service Requirements and Method of Fulfillment to complete her basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, and her AIT at Fort Rucker, AL, with a report date of 6 August 2013 (information on duration of trainings NIF). b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / HS Diploma / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 7 months, 1 day (2 months, 3 days of Net Active Service commencing on 8 October 2013) d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR (8 March 2013 to 7 October 2013) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statements for being recommended for separation due to lack of reasonable effort due to injuries; lacking the physical ability or the perseverance it takes to be a Soldier; failing to progress in the Soldering process; failing to adapt; failing to meet the minimum standards of initial assessment of fitness and physical readiness; missing foot march training; and missing the diagnostic APFT; missing BRM. 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 24 Ma 2017; items D and E of DD Form 4/2; VA letter, dated 25 April 2017; DD Form 214; page one of commander's report; counseling statements, dated 5 September 2011; APFT Scorecard; four sick call slips; four FJ Forms 689-R; FLAG action; Soldier's Statement; RiverBend Medical Group records, dated 23 December 2013, and 8 January 2014; and four Health Records (illegible). 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided 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 status (ELS) 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. 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. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It identifies the SPD code of "JGA" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 11, Entry Level Performance and Conduct. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JGA" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions). The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record confirms the applicant's separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 11, for entry level performance and conduct. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service because she was in an entry level status (ELS) on the date of the initiation of her separation action. 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. Further, a general (under honorable conditions) discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge is rarely ever granted. An honorable discharge may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The applicant's service record indicates no such unusual circumstances were present and did not warrant an honorable discharge. The applicant contends the discharge was unjust because she was separated due to medical reasons. However, there is a presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs that shall be applied in any review unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption. The applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support her issues. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that she may have been unjustly discharged. The applicant's statements alone do not overcome the government's presumption of regularity and no additional corroborating and supporting documentation or further sufficient evidence has been provided with the request for an upgrade of the discharge. 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 character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with her overall service record while in an entry-level-status. 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 3 October 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 AR20170010772 1