1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 17 December 2018 b. Date Received: 24 December 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to general (under honorable conditions) or honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, the discharge was inequitable because the applicant did not have any withstanding medical or disciplinary issues while serving active duty. The discharge was improper because there was no official reason given as to why the status is uncharacterized. The applicant requests an upgrade in order to receive educational benefits. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 May 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the 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: 14 May 2016 c. Separation Facts: No (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: A DA Form 4187, Personnel Action, undated, 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: 20 July 2015 / 8 years / USAR b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 years / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 11 months, 7 days 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 a DD Form 214. 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. Paragraph 4-2 states, Soldiers serving as cadets in military academies whose expiration of enlisted terms of service occur while the Soldier is serving in such capacity will be discharged or released, as appropriate. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to general (under honorable conditions) or 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. 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 service record confirms the applicant had completed the period for which he was ordered to Active Duty to attend the USMA Preparatory School. The evidence of the record reflects that the applicant entered Active Duty on 20 July 2015. At the time of the applicant's discharge, the applicant had served 11 months and 7 days on Active Duty. Based on the evidence of record, the applicant was separated in accordance with AR 635-200 Chapter 4, paragraph 4-1 and 4-2j. The applicant while serving as a Cadet Candidate did not complete or meet USMAPS course requirements and was not offered admission to attend the United States Military Academy. Soldiers processed for separation under this provision will be assigned a Narrative Reason for Separation of Completion of Required Active Service. Further, the Soldier will be assigned an SPD Code of KBK and an RE Code of 1. Based on the service record, it appears that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 24, Character of Service as "Uncharacterized". The service record confirms the applicant completed the period for which he was ordered to Active Duty and was not in ELS at the time of discharge. Soldiers completing the period for which ordered to Active Duty will be assigned a characterization of service as Honorable upon discharge. Based on the available record, the discharge was not consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was not within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was not provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 May 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the 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 AR20190000990 1