Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/11/07 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached document submitted by the Applicant. 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: 050120 Discharge Received: Date: 050203 Chapter: 5-17 AR: 635-200 Reason: Physical Condition, Not a Disability RE: SPD: JFV Unit/Location: Troop E, 5-15 CAV, Ft Knox, KY 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: 35 Current ENL Date: 041104 Current ENL Term: 3 Years 23 weeks Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 03Mos, 00Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 03Mos, 00Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 103 EDU: Master's Degree Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: None V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Walnut Cove, NC Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a disorder currently manifested by post tramatic stress disorder. On 20 January 2005, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of other designated physical or mental condition, which were: post traumtic stress disorder, behavioral problems attitudinal problems render you incapable of successfully coping with the emotional stress of military training, and recommended that he be discharged with an entry level uncharacterized separation of service. He was advised of his rights. The applicant requested counsulting with counsel, and did not submit a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service. On 28 January 2005, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized separation of service. 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 record, issue and documents he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with post traumatic stress disorder. The complaints were serious enough to cause significant emotional distress and impairment of social and/or occupational functioning. It was determined that his behavioral and attitudinal problems rendered him incapable of successfully coping with the emotional stress of military training. The applicant’s service was uncharacterized because he was in an entry-level status. 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. An honorable discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. 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. Furthermore, the analyst found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. 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. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that 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: 5 August 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: None 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: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080018179 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages