1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 16 October 2017 b. Date Received: 19 October 2017 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 seeks relief contending, in effect, the DD Form 214 for the period 3 January 1993 to 18 March 1993 indicates "Uncharacterized" on block 24 (Character of Service), it should read "Honorable." The applicant successfully completed the AMEDD Officer Basic Course, which is the training that was covered by this particular DD Form 214. The applicant has a diploma from that course indicating successful completion. The applicant had never received any negative actions against the record, nor has the applicant ever had any disciplinary actions during an entire military career. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 January 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200 / Chapter 4 / NIF / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 18 March 1993 c. Separation Facts: NIF (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 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 3 January 1993 / NIF / OIADT b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 years / BS, Nursing / NA c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: O-1 / 66J, Clinical Nurse / 7 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, Appointed 2LT 3 May 1992 to 4 December 1993 ARNG Appointed 2LT / 5 December 1993 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: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149 (two pages); DD Form 214; and an AMEDD Officer Basic Course Diploma. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): AR 135-200 (July 1990), in effect at the time of the applicant's discharge, did not refer to AR 600-8-24 for separation processing because it was not yet in effect. AR 600-8-24, in pertinent part, replaced AR 635-100 (May 1989) (Officer Separations). Of note, see Legal Review. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. Currently, a USAR reservist with less than 90 days of service will be issued a DD-214 with an honorable characterization of service. If the successful completion of ADT results in the award of an MOS, which appears to be the case. AR 635-8, para. 5-1.f and 5-6.x.1. AR 135-200 governs ADT orders for Reservists and indicates that AR 600-8-24 applies to release officers. See AR 135-200, para. 2-5 (release from active duty), see also e.g., AR 600-8-24, para 2- 7 (voluntary release from AD due to ETS). Further, AR 135-200 (July 1990), in effect at the time of the applicant's discharge, did not refer to AR 600-8-24 for separation processing because it was not yet in effect. AR 600-8-24, in pertinent part, replaced AR 635-100 (May 1989) (Officer Separations). AR 635-100, para. 1-7 (May 1989) indicates that a DD Form 214 is to be issued in accordance with AR 635-5, as noted above. Further, Id., para. 1-6 addresses characterization of service and indicates that service is "normally" honorable when the officer is released from active duty and returned to USAR control. There is no mention of uncharacterized service. Thus, based on the above, service characterization upgrade to honorable is appropriate. The characterization of service was not consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was not within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was not provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 January 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the circumstances surrounding the discharge. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214 / Issue a New Separation Order: 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 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 AR20170019271 1