BOARD DATE:	  17 June 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140007258 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his uncharacterized discharge. 

2.  The applicant states there is no characterization of service on his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  He successfully completed basic training and advanced individual training and returned to his Reserve unit.

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) for 8 years on 29 April 1997.  He subsequently entered active duty for training (ADT) on 13 June 1997.  He completed:

* basic combat training at Fort Knox, KY
* advanced individual training (the 8-week Construction Equipment Repairer) at Fort Leonard Wood, MO

3.  He was released from ADT on 10 October 1997 in accordance with chapter 4 of Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations) by reason of completion of required active service.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 3 months and 28 days of creditable active service.  His DD Form 214 shows in:

* Item 11 (Primary Specialty) - 62B1O Construction Equipment Repairer-    0 Years
* Item 24 (Character of Service) - Uncharacterized

4.  He was ultimately honorably discharged from the USAR on 6 December 2001 after having completed his military service obligations. 

5.  Army Regulation 635-200 describes the different types of characterization of service.  Paragraph 3-9 (Uncharacterized Separation) of the version in effect at the time stated a separation will be described as an entry level separation with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is in entry level status, except in the following circumstances:

	a.  When characterization Under Other Than Honorable Conditions is authorized under the reason for separation and is warranted by the circumstances of the case.

	b.  The Secretary of the Army, on a case–by–case basis, determines that characterization of service as Honorable is clearly warranted by the presence of unusual circumstances involving personal conduct and performance of duty.  This characterization is authorized when the Soldier is separated by reason of selected changes in service obligation, convenience of the Government and Secretarial plenary authority.

	c.  For Army National Guard (ARNG) and USAR Soldiers, entry level status begins upon enlistment in the ARNG or USAR.  It terminates:

* For Soldiers ordered to ADT for continuous period—180 days after beginning training
* For Soldiers ordered to ADT for the split or alternate training option—90 days after beginning Phase II (AIT); Soldiers completing Phase I (Basic Training or Basic Combat Training) remain in entry level status until 90 days after beginning Phase II

6.  Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 3-7a, provides that an honorable discharge is a separation with honor and entitles the recipient to benefits provided by law.  The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the member’s service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate.

7.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  The DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge, and is not intended to have any legal effect on termination of a Soldier's service.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the USAR on 29 April 1997.  He entered ADT on 13 June 1997, completed training, and was awarded military occupational specialty 62B.  He was released from ADT on 10 October 1997 in accordance with chapter 4 of Army Regulation 635-200.  He completed 3 months and 28 days of creditable active service and he received an uncharacterized character of service. 

2.  During the first 180 days of continuous active military service, a member's service is under review.  When separated within the first 180 days, service is usually not characterized unless the circumstances of the separation warrant an under other than honorable conditions discharge.  An honorable characterization may be given only if the service clearly warrants that characterization by unusual circumstances of personal conduct and performance of military duty and it is approved by the Secretary of the Army.

3.  An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative; it is not "derogatory."  An uncharacterized character of service 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/her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise.  Therefore, the applicant received the correct characterization of service and there is no reason to change it. 

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X_____  __X______  __X___  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      _______ _   X_______   ___
               CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.



ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140007258





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140007258



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