1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 14 August 2018 b. Date Received: 21 August 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, medical problems prevented the applicant from completing duties. Applicant was found medically disabled and received care while on active duty and after discharge. Information on the severe injury incurred in training was not properly document upon discharge. An upgrade would allow the applicant to use all services as a Veteran. Applicant's VA service verification letter, dated 9 November 2015, shows service as honorable. VA has found the applicant eligible for compensation and medical care. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 July 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: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200, Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 7 September 2011 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 29 August 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: Proposed action to separate the applicant due to her inability to qualify with her assigned weapon. The applicant was zeroed twice by her drill sergeants and was given several opportunities to qualify on four different ranges with several chances on each range, and she failed to meet the standard 23 out of 40. The applicant had been counseled as required by paragraph 11-4, AR 635-200. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 29 August 2011 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 30 August 2011 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 7 June 2010 / (IADT) 10 weeks of BCT and 10 weeks of MOS training or until completion of AIT, pursuant to Orders 1158030, dated 2 June 2011 b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 31 / Master's Degree / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / None / 6 months, 24 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG (14 February 2011 to 6 June 2010) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statement for being recommended for separation UP Chapter 11 for inability to adapt due to her inability to qualify with her assigned MR; being referred to her Reserve Liaison NCO for her impending separation due to basic rifle marksmanship (BRM) failure; being given numerous chances to qualify with her assigned weapon and many hours of remedial training; failing to meet the minimum standard; and first sergeant agreeing with the drill sergeant's assessment for the applicant's separation due to failing to meet the standard. Individual Training Record for BCT, OSUT, and AIT, dating 16 June 2011 thru 2 August 2011, reflects that at BCT, the applicant did not meet the requirement for "Qualify with Individual Weapon." Memorandum for Medical Examination for Separation of [the applicant], rendered by a physical assistant, indicates that a determination was made that a medical examination was not required for the applicant's separation, and the second memorandum with the applicant's statement of option, rendered by the company commander and the applicant, respectively, indicates the applicant had elected not to undergo medical examination before separation on 12 August 2011. 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 14 August 2018; VA letter, dated 9 November 2016; DD Form 214; and four VA letters, dated 14 May 2018. 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 honorable. 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. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when her separation is initiated while she was 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 she was in an entry level status (ELS) on 29 August 2011, the date of the initiation of her separation action. The applicant contends her DD Form 214 indicates an uncharacterized discharge, while her service verification letter, dated 9 November 2015, shows her service as honorable. However, the rationale the applicant provided as the basis for what she believes was an unfair record of her discharge is not supportable by the evidence contained in the record and can only be viewed as speculative in nature. Further, her separation was in accordance with Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 11, and not according to the Department of Veterans Affairs regulations. The applicant contends that medical issues contributed to her discharge from the Army, because her medical problems, a severe injury she received in training, prevented her from completing her duties. However, the service record does not support the applicant's contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted to corroborate the discharge was the result of any medical condition. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service with either medical limitation or medication. Although she further asserts the injury she received in training was not properly documented upon her discharge, records reflect she desired and elected not to undergo a medical examination prior to her separation. Lastly, 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. The available 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 applicant's discharge is commensurate with her overall service record because she was in an entry-level-status on the date her separation was initiated. 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 15 July 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 AR20180008830 1