Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 070727 Prior Review Prior Review Date: None I. Applicant Request Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: Applicant states that " Character of service prohibits re-entry into military – medical issue does not prevent physical requirements.” II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Yes No Tender Offer: ????? See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Original Character of Discharge Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 970702 Discharge Received: Date: 970714 Chapter: 5-11 AR: 635-200 Reason: Failure To Meet Procurement Medical Fitness Standards RE: SPD: JFW Unit/Location: B Company, 30th AG, Fort Benning, GA Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Year/Month: 7802 HOR City, State: Alma, MI Current ENL Date: 970603 Current ENL Term: 3 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 01Mos, 12Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 01Mos, 12Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E1 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 96 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: None V. Post-Discharge Activity Post Service Accomplishments: Not Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 2 July 1997, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of involuntary separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5-11, AR 635-200, by reason of failure to meet procurement medical fitness standards with an uncharacterized discharge. An Entrance Physical Standards Board convened on 26 June 1997 and determined that the applicant’s medical condition of Chronic headaches existing prior to history of crainotomy times 2, 1986 and 1991 with subsequent chronic headaches secondary to above. The applicant reviewed and concurred with the findings of the Entrance Physical Standard Board (EPSBD) proceedings, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service. On 2 July 1997, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized discharge. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically provides that soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the soldier’s initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of Army Regulation 40-501, chapter 3. The characterization of service for soldiers separated under this provision of regulation will normally be honorable, but will be uncharacterized if the soldier is in an entry-level status. Army Regulation 635-200 states that a soldier is in an entry-level status if the soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty prior to the initiation of separation action. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records, and the issue he submitted, to include his supporting documents, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The proceedings of the Enlistment Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) revealed that the applicant had a medical condition that was disqualifying for enlistment and that it existed prior to entry on active duty. Subsequently, these findings were approved by competent medical authority. The applicant agreed with these findings and the proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and that the rights of the applicant were fully protected through 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, that a soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while the soldier is in entry level status. Further, for soldiers in entry-level status, 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 his service did not warrant an honorable discharge. The analyst recommends to the Board that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service remain both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 18 July 2008 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Decision The discharge was: Proper Improper Equitable Inequitable The characterization of service was: Proper Improper Equitable Inequitable The narrative reasons were: Equitable Inequitable DRB voting record: Change 0 No change 5 - Character Change 0 No change 5 - Reason (Board member names available upon request) IX. 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. X. Board Action Directed No Change Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: NA Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: ????? XI. Certification Signature and Date Approval Authority: MARK E. COLLINS Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board Official: CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON DATE: 23 July 2008 Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, Secretary Recorder ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20070010455 ______________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 4 pages