1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 16 November 2017 b. Date Received: 21 November 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable, and to change the narrative reason for discharge with its corresponding codes. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, personnel records, as supporting documentation, shows the applicant has a class of service as "'Honorable'" and a separation code "'DEV.'" However, the DD Form 214 shows the separation code as "'JGA'" and the narrative reason as "Entry Level Performance and Conduct" separation. During training, the applicant sustained an injury to the right knee, which was documented in 2003 medical records. The applicant opted to be recycled through two subsequent training cycles to complete the training. However, the injury never fully healing, resulting in discharge. While working with the VFW, the applicant found documents, which show the separation was classified as an honorable discharge with the "'DEV'" separation code for service-connected disability. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 28 August 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: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200, Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 18 February 2004 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 9 February 2004 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: The applicant's inability to adapt to military life and the applicant's lack of motivation. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 9 February 2004 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 9 February 2004 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 24 September 2003 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / 13 years / 129 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / None / 4 months, 25 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Negative counseling statements for being given the opportunity to restart training cycle; being currently on profile that limited his training and prevented him from graduating with his initial cycle; violating and being in noncompliant with procedural rules, in violation of Article 98 (Sic), UCMJ; refusing to training; lacking motivation; lacking discipline; actions unbecoming of a Soldier; failing to adapt; and being recommended for an involuntary separation for an entry level performance and conduct. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 16 November 2017; DD Form 214; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Request for Information, print date 1 March 2004; and VA personal data. 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 his uncharacterized discharge to honorable, and to change the narrative reason for his discharge with its corresponding codes. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with his 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. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while he is in entry level status. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service because he was in an entry level status (ELS) on the date of the initiation of his 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 provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant's service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance, such that he should have been retained on Active Duty. The applicant requests to change the reason for his separation; however, the evidence of record reflects the narrative reason for his separation as governed by specific directives and as approved by the separation authority. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulation 635-5-1 for a discharge under Chapter 11, is "Entry Level Performance and Conduct," and the separation code is JGA. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. 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 his 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 28 August 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 AR20170019874 1