Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 080103 Prior Review Prior Review Date: 050509/Records Review I. Applicant Request Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents submitted by the applicant. 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: 040331 Discharge Received: Date: 040513 Chapter: 5 AR: 635-200 Reason: Personality Disorder RE: SPD: JFX Unit/Location: 149 Trans Co, Fort Eustis, VA 23604 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: 8201 HOR City, State: Tampa, FL Current ENL Date: 020913 Current ENL Term: 2 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 08 Mos, 01 Days ????? Total Service: 04 Yrs, 01 Mos, 02 Days ????? Previous Discharges: RA-000412-020912/HD Highest Grade: E-5 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92Y20 Unit Supply Spec GT: 114 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Germany/Southwest Asia Combat: Kuwait (030426-31015) Decorations/Awards: AAM, AGCM, NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, NCOPDR, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant stated she is currently employed as a Logistics Management Specialist for the U.S. Department of State. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 15 March 2004, the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with an adjustment disorde of Axis I: Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified; Axis II: Borderline Personality Disorder. On 31 March 2004, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13, by reason of personality disorder, diagnosed with a depressive disorder and a borderline personality disorder. The unit commander recommended an honorable discharge. She was advised of her rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an honorable discharge. On 28 April 2004, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of fully honorable. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-13 provides that a Soldier may be separated for personality disorder, not amounting to disability under Army Regulation 635-40, that interferes with assignment to or performance of duty. The regulation requires that the condition is a deeply ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration that interferes with the Soldier's ability to perform duty. The regulation also directs that commanders will not take action prescribed in this chapter in lieu of disciplinary action; requires that the diagnosis concludes the disorder is so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired; and states that separation for personality disorder is not appropriate when separation is warranted under chapter 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, or 15; Army Regulation 604-10 or Army Regulation 635-40. Army policy requires the award of a fully honorable discharge in such case. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review and the issue she submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit a change to the applicant's narrative reason for discharge. The analyst noted that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a depressive disorder and a borderline personality disorder. The unit commander appropriately initiated discharge proceedings under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of personality disorder, with a characterization of service of honorable. The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue, however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Personality Disorder" and the separation code is "JFX." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 4 August 2008 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: The American Legion c/o Ms. Queen Baker 1608 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 Witnesses/Observers: No Exhibits Submitted: The applicant submitted five additional pages of documents in support of her personal appearance hearing. 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 0 - 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, hearing her testimony and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. X. Board Action Directed No Change Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: None Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None XI. Certification Signature and Date Approval Authority: MARK E. COLLINS Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board Official: CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON DATE: 7 August 2008 Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, Secretary Recorder ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20070018951 ______________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 5 pages