1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 30 October 2017 b. Date Received: 21 December 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that the characterization of service should be changed because the applicant completed all active service training required with no negative actions against oneself. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 April 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. Additionally, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27 contains the erroneous reentry eligibility (RE) code of NA. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-1, as required by Army Regulations. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200, Chapter 4 / MBK / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 15 January 2003 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: Completion of Required Active Service (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: ADT, 7 August 2002 / NIF b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate /110 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 63B10, Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic / 1 year, 10 months, 8 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 8 March 2001 to 6 August 2002 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: None i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: On line application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with his 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. 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. Paragraph 4-5, states, a Soldier being separated upon expiration of enlistment or fulfillment of service obligation will be awarded a character of service of honorable, unless the Soldier is in entry-level status and service is uncharacterized. Paragraph 3-9a, states, a separation will be described as entry-level with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is in entry-level status, except when the Soldier has less than 181 days of continuous active military service, has completed Initial Entry Training, has been awarded an MOS, and has reported for duty at a follow-on-unit of assignment. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant seeks relief contending that his characterization of service should be changed because he completed all active service training required with no negative actions against himself. The applicant's record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to his discharge from the Army. However, the applicant's record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature. The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 4, by reason of Completion of Required Active Service, with a characterization of service of Uncharacterized. Barring evidence to the contrary, it appears that all requirements of law and regulation were not met and the rights of the applicant have been protected throughout the separation process. The service record confirms the applicant had completed the period for which he was ordered to Active Duty. The evidence of the record reflects that the applicant entered Active Duty on 7 August 2002, for completion of IADT. At the time of the applicant's discharge, the applicant had served 5 months and 9 days on Active Duty. The applicant's official service record reflects no acts of misconduct or derogatory information. Upon the applicant's separation from Active Duty, he was transferred to his Reserve unit of assignment to serve his remaining service obligation until 7 March 2009. The evidence of records shows that the applicant had less than 181 days of continuous active military service, however, he completed his Initial Entry Training, was awarded an MOS of 63B10, and was scheduled to report for duty at a follow-on-unit of assignment. Therefore, it appears because the applicant was being separated upon expiration of enlistment or fulfillment of service obligation he should have been awarded a character of service of honorable, because he was no longer considered at being in an entry-level status. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 April 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. Additionally, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27 contains the erroneous reentry eligibility (RE) code of NA. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-1, as required by Army Regulations. 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 / RE-1 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 AR20170019419 1