1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 23 September 2018 b. Date Received: 16 October 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was told about receiving the GI Bill. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 August 2019, and by a 4-1 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The record indicates the applicant completed required active duty time and was not in an entry level separation status. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's 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. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200 / Chapter 4 / KBK / RE-1 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 17 May 2017 c. Separation Facts: No (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: A DA Form 4187, Personnel Action, dated 12 May 2017, shows that the applicant was separated in accordance with AR 635-200 Chapter 4, paragraph 4-1 and 4-2j. Cadet Candidate (applicant) did not complete or meet USMAPS course requirements in order to receive offer of admission to attend the United States Military Academy. (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: 18 July 2016 / 8 years / USAR b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 years / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 10 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA 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: DD Form 149 (two pages) and US Congress, House of Representatives, constituent inquiry. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 4 of the 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, the issues and document submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's record contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's digital signature. This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and government regularity is presumed in the discharge process. The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was released from active duty under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter4, by reason of completion of required active service, with a characterization of service of honorable. Barring evidence to the contrary, the presumption of government regularity prevails as all the requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Further, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of KBK (i.e., completion of required active service, with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of 1. 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 from active duty. For USAR Soldiers, entry-level status begins upon enlistment in the USAR. The applicant had completed 10 months of continued active service at the time he was discharged from active duty; thus, he was no longer in entry level status at the time. AR 635-200 stipulates Soldiers being separated upon expiration of enlistment or fulfillment of their service obligation will be awarded a character of service of honorable unless in entry level status. The applicant seeks relief contending, he was told he would be able to receive the GI Bill. Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it is 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. Based on the available record, the discharge from active duty 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 7 August 2019, and by a 4-1 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was improper. The record indicates the applicant completed required active duty time and was not in an entry level separation status. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's 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. 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 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 AR20180013568 1