Applicant Name: Application Receipt Date: 2008/06/25 Prior Review Prior Review Date: None I. Applicant Request Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The Applicant states that at the time of her service in the Army she wanted to talk to someone and a senior NCO said his door was open and they talked. The next thing she knew is that she was being discharged because she had said that she was having a hard time. She would like to have an HD to get closure with this chapter in her life. She did not have any misconduct however, she would have served in Afghanistan or Iraq as the rest of her comrades did but was sent home instead due to her physical and mental stress. She submitted a personal statement and 6 enclosures for the Board's consideration. 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: 040218 Discharge Received: Date: 040513 Chapter: 5-17 AR: 635-200 Reason: Other Designated Physical or Mental Condition RE: SPD: JFV Unit/Location: B Co, 325th Fwd Spt Bn, Schofield Bks, HI 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: 1980/08 HOR City, State: La Mesa, CA Current ENL Date: 020416 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 00Mos, 28Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 00Mos, 28Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 92A10/Automated Log Spc GT: 86 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Hawaii Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR, AGCM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity Post Service Accomplishments: Attended ICDC College, Dec 06 through Jun 07, medical office specialist program, letter of support is enclosed. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that the applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. On 18 February 2004, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of other designated physical or mental condition, for having been diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, for numerous failures to report, for failure to pay debts, for her inability to obey a direct order, for lack of discipline, and for being insubordinate and disrespectful to a NCO, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. She was advised of her rights. The applicant waived 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 a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-17 specifically provides that a soldier may be separated for other physical or mental conditions not amounting to a disability under Army Regulation 635-40, which interferes with assignment to or performance of duty. The regulation requires that the condition interferes with the soldiers’ ability to perform duty, and requires that the diagnosis be so severe that the soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired. Army Regulation 635-200 states that a soldier being separated under this paragraph will be awarded a characterization of service of honorable, under honorable conditions, or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 unless properly notified of the specific factors in his/her service that warrant such characterization. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records for the period of enlistment under review and the issue and documents she submitted, the analyst recommends that relief be denied in this case. A mental status evaluation by competent medical authority diagnosed the applicant with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation under provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, by reason of other designated physical or mental condition not amounting to a disability, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge and informed the applicant as to the specific factors in her service record that would warrant a general discharge. The analyst was satisfied that all the requirements of law and regulations were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Therefore, the analyst determined 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: 13 August 2008 Location: Washington, D.C. 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: NA XI. Certification Signature and Date Approval Authority: MARK E. COLLINS Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board Official: CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON DATE: 13 August 2008 Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Chief, Secretary Recorder ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080010781 ______________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 4 pages