1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 9 July 2018 b. Date Received: 9 July 2018 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 reentry code of discharge. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, an upgrade and changing the reentry code to "1" would increase the chances of reenlisting in the Army. (Note the applicant included a Veterans Affairs letter that indicate an honorable character of service.) In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 January 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: 30 October 2013 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 22 October 2013 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: The applicant was provided multiple opportunities to qualify with her assigned weapon and many hours of remedial training. Throughout all the training, the applicant continuously failed to meet the minimum standard. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 22 and 23 October 2013 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: In an undated memorandum / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 23 July 2013 / Approximately 19 weeks for OSUT training or until completion b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / Bachelor of Arts Degree / 104 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / None / 5 months, 17 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG (14 May 2013 to 22 July 2013) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statements for being referred to the Reserve Component Liaison NCO; being basic rifle marksmanship (BRM failure; failing to achieve the minimum 23 out of 40 hits to qualify with an M4-Series on numerous occasions; and being recommended for an involuntary separation. 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 9 July 2018, with applicant-authored statement; VA letter, dated 5 July 2018; four character reference/supporting statements; three academic transcripts with university academic records information sheets; and Immunization Record. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant states, in effect, she completed two additional bachelor degrees and remained employed for seven years. 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, and to change the reentry code of her discharge. 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 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 she was in an entry level status (ELS) on the date of the initiation of her 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. The applicant contends that an upgrade and changing her reentry code to "1" would increase her chances of reenlisting in the Army. However, the reentry code of "3" is based on the narrative reason for her discharge. The narrative reason for her separation is governed by specific directives and as approved by the separation authority. The narrative reason specified by AR 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. Inasmuch as the applicant desires to be reinstated back into Military service, Soldiers being processed for separation are assigned reentry codes based on their service records or the reason for discharge. Based on Army Regulation 635-5-1 and the SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table, the applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 3. There are no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. Although the applicant's documentary evidence, Veterans Affairs letter that indicates an honorable character of service, the applicant's separation was in accordance with Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 5-17; thereby, appropriately documented by her DD Form 214, and not according to the Department of Veterans Affairs regulations. 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 applicant's discharge is commensurate with her 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 8 January 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 AR20180011021 1