1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 15 November 2017 b. Date Received: 19 January 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a general (under honorable conditions) discharge be changed to an uncharacterized discharged. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that the applicant is applying to multiple law enforcement agencies and would like to have the discharge changed from General (Under Honorable Conditions) to Uncharacterized at their request. The applicant contends the law enforcement agencies prefer an uncharacterized discharge over a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. The applicant has completed Basic Training, receiving an Army Achievement Medal and challenge coins from then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and General of the Reserves for performance, but was never sent to AIT. After waiting 3 years to be sent to AIT, the applicant filed the paperwork for early separation with the unit once the applicant moved. The applicant believes that due to an incomplete MOS training, and awards received for advanced performance while in training, the discharge should be changed to Uncharacterized. The Uncharacterized discharge will be less of a hindrance in the pursuit of a law enforcement career. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 13 April 2020, 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 / NA / General (Under Honorable Conditions b. Date of Discharge: 14 March 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: 6 October 2009 / 8 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 21 / 14 years / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / NIF / 4 years, 5 months, 9 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: NIF e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NIF 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: Online application and certificate for award of The Army Achievement Medal 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 his general (under honorable conditions) discharge be changed to an uncharacterized discharged. 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 7 March 2014, DA, HQS, 99th Regional Support Command, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Orders 14-066-00028, discharged the applicant from the US Army Reserve, effective 14 March 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 is applying to multiple law enforcement agencies and would like to have his discharge changed from General (Under Honorable Conditions) to Uncharacterized at their request. The applicant contends the law enforcement agencies prefer an uncharacterized discharge over a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. He has completed Basic Training, receiving an Army Achievement Medal and challenge coins from then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and General of the Reserves for his performance, but was never sent to AIT. After waiting 3 years to be sent to AIT, he filed the paperwork for early separation with his unit once he moved. He believes that due to his incomplete MOS training, and awards received for advanced performance while in training, his discharge should be changed to Uncharacterized. The Uncharacterized discharge will be less of a hindrance in his pursuit of a law enforcement career. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, a determination on whether these contentions have merit 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. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it will be his responsibility to meet the burden of proof and provide the appropriate documents (i.e., the discharge packet) or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board's consideration because they are not available in the official record. It should be noted; the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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 records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 13 April 2020, 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 AR20180000981 4