Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 20 09/07/17	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states: "When I was discharged, I was told it would be a honorable discharge/Ch 11/Unable to adapt to military life.  I was young and had just graduated from high school.  I hadn't ever been that far away from home without my parents before.  I was so lonesome and homesick, I was seeing things.  Only as I got older, I've realized that was a gift.  They weren't coming to me to scare me, they were simply coming to me to tell me that everything as gona be okay.  I am applying for a job with the Sheriff's Department.  Being that my discharge doesn't say honorable, they are thinking maybe I did something wrong to get discharged.  I really need the discharge to be honorable.  I am a firm believer in "The Truth Shall Set You Free"".

II.  Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed?	     
Tender Offer:   NA

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Discharge Under Review
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: 	   Date: 970117
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 970131   Chapter: 11       AR: 635-200
Reason: Entry Level Performance and Conduct	   RE:     SPD: JGA   Unit/Location: C Co, 1/61st  Infantry Regt, Fort Jackson, SC 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  18
Current ENL Date: 970103    Current ENL Term: 03 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	00 Yrs, 00Mos, 28Days ?????
Total Service:  		00 Yrs, 00Mos, 28Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E2		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 98   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Lafayette, LA
Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 17 January 1997, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 11, AR 635-200, by reason of entry level performance and conduct for failure to adapt to military life, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, with an uncharacterized discharge.  
       
       She was advised of her rights.  The applicant waived legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in her own behalf.  The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts.  The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an uncharacterized discharge.  On 27 January 1997, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be separated from the Army with an uncharacterized discharge.

       b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
       Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 11, of this regulation, in pertinent part, states that a member may be separated for unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or both, while in an entry level status.  This provision of the regulation applies to Soldiers who can not meet the minimum standards for training, have demonstrated that they are not qualified for retention because they can not adapt socially or emotionally to military life or because they lack the aptitude, ability, motivation or self discipline for military service, or they have demonstrated characteristics not compatible with satisfactory continued military service.  The regulation requires uncharacterized service for separation under this chapter.

       c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
       After a careful review of the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review and the issues submitted with the application, the analyst noted from the evidence of record that the applicant received an uncharacterized separation while in an entry-level status (ELS).  
       
       The separation authority approved the applicant's discharge as entry-level status, with the description of service as uncharacterized.  Army Regulation 635-200 provides in pertinent part, that a Soldier is in entry-level status for the first 180 days of continuous active duty.  The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period.  Soldiers who are found to lack the necessary motivation, adaptability, self-discipline, ability, or attitude to become productive Soldiers may be expeditiously separated while in entry-level status.  Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status.  A general discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions.  A fully honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty.  The analyst determined that no such unusual circumstances were present in the applicant’s record and the former Soldier’s service did not warrant an honorable discharge.  
       
       Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue reference applying for a job with the Sheriff's Department, however, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities.
       
       Further, the applicant was separated with an uncharacterized discharge.  This type of discharge simply means that the Soldier was in an entry-level status, i.e., in an initial probationary period of service.  Any individual who has served for less than l80 days at the time her commander initiated separation action, and is not being separated for serious misconduct, will be given an uncharacterized discharge.  This is not an adverse separation action and denotes only that the individual had less than l80 days on active duty.  
       
       In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 14 May 2010         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: None

VIII.  Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation
After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief.  
        
IX.  Board Decision						
	XI.  Certification Signature
Board Vote:  							          Approval Authority:	
Character - Change 0    No change 5
Reason -     Change 0    No change 5
(Board member names available upon request)
								         EDGAR J. YANGER			 
								         Colonel, U.S. Army
X.  Board Action Directed					         President, Army Discharge Review Board
Issue a new DD Form 214  					
Change Characterization to: 			         
Change Reason to: NA
Other: NA										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: NA


















Legend:
AWOL    	Absent Without Leave		GCM   General Court Martial	NA   Not applicable			SCM	Summary Court Martial
BCD   	Bad Conduct Discharge	GD      General Discharge	NIF   Not in the file			SPCM	Special Court Martial
CG 	Company Grade Article 15	HD      Honorable Discharge	OAD   Ordered to Active Duty		UNC	Uncharacterized Discharge  
DD 	Dishonorable Discharge	HS       High School Graduate	OMPF   Official Military Personnel File	UOTH  	Under Other Than Honorable 
FG	Field Grade Article 15		IADT   Initial Active Duty Training	RE     Reentry Code				Conditions 

ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20090012838
______________________________________________________________________________


Page 1 of 3 pages