1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 14 September 2018 b. Date Received: 17 September 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, her uncharacterized discharge was an undue response to time in the Army. She suffered an injury to her left unable during basic training and was unable to complete the two- mile run for graduation. During 51 days at the personnel control facility, she lost more than 30 pounds, suffered severe malnutrition and dehydration that permanently damaged nerves in her throat. She has a lifetime of physical and mental problems with no benefits. She requests that the 51 days served at the personnel control facility be credited to her total service. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 2 December 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: 10 November 2005 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 4 November 2005 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason for her discharge; without proper authority, absented herself from her organization (14 July 1997 to 21 September 2005). (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 7 November 2005 (5) Administrative Separation Board: The applicant waived consideration of her case by an administrative separation board, although she was not entitled to a board. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 8 November 2005 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 24 April 1997 / 3 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 22 years / GED Certificate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 4 months, 10 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: DD Form 458 (Charge Sheet), dated 22 September 2005, revealed the applicant was charged with AWOL (14 July 1997 to 20 September 2005). i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: AWOL for 2,987 days, 14 July 1997 to 20 September 2005; surrendered to military authorities. j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149 (two pages); DD Form 214; and a self- authored statement (four pages). 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant states in document with her application that she was employed with the US Postal Service as rural letter carrier. 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 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 (ELS). 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant's record of service, 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. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when her separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. 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. The applicant seeks relief contending, her uncharacterized discharge was an undue response to time in the Army. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. 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 further contends, she suffered an injury to her left unable during basic training and was unable to complete the two-mile run for graduation; and during 51 days at the personnel control facility, she lost more than 30 pounds, suffered severe malnutrition and dehydration that permanently damaged nerves in her throat. The applicant bears the burden of presenting substantial and credible evidence to support these contentions. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that she injured her left during basic training and was unable to complete the two-mile run for graduation; and during 51 days at the personnel control facility, she lost more than 30 pounds, suffered severe malnutrition and dehydration that permanently damaged nerves in her throat. The applicant also contends, she has a lifetime of physical and mental problems with no benefits. 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. The applicant requests that the 51 days served at the personnel control facility be credited to her total service. The applicant's requested change to the DD Form 214 does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. The applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR), using the enclosed DD Form 149 regarding this matter. A DD Form 149 may also be obtained from a Veterans' Service Organization. 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 2 December 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 / 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 AR20180015796 1