Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/07/14 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant 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? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: NIF Date: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 080811 Chapter: 5-17 AR: 635-200 Reason: Condition, Not A Disability RE: SPD: JFV Unit/Location: D Co, 31st EN Bn, Fort Leonard Wood, MO Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 080605 Current ENL Term: 00 Years 10 Weeks Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 02Mos, 07Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 07Mos, 14Days ????? Previous Discharges: USAR-071228-080605/NA (Concurrent Service) Highest Grade: E-2 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: NIF EDU: 11 Years Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: None V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Odessa, TX Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to a discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve. However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214, (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature. The DD Form 214 indicates that he was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of condition, not a disability, with service uncharacterized. Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JFV (i.e., condition, not a disability), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "3." On 8 August 2008, DA, HQ, U.S. Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Orders 221-1313, discharged the applicant from the U.S. Army Reserve, effective date: 11 August 2008. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-17 provides that a Soldier may be separated for other physical or mental conditions not amounting to a disability under Army Regulation 635-40, that 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 policy states that the service of personnel separated under this paragraph will be characterized as honorable, general, under honorable conditions, or uncharacterized if in entry-level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17. 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, the issues and documents he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The applicant’s record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events that led to a discharge from the U.S. Army Reserve. However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature. This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and the analyst presumed Government regularity in the discharge process. The evidence of record shows the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of condition, not a disability, with an uncharacterized separation of service. 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. Absence evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that the applicant’s separation was initiated while he was still in entry-level status and the applicant’s separation was accomplished within 72 hours following approval by the separation authority. A fully honorable 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 his service did not warrant an honorable discharge. 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. Furthermore, the analyst acknowledges the independent document (Department of Veteran Affairs) submitted with the application indicating that the applicant was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), determined to be service connected and was granted a 30% disability rating. Further, the applicant's record does not contain any evidence of inservice treatment for PTSD symptoms as indicated in the independent documentation from the Department of Veteran Affairs and the applicant did not submit any corroborating evidence of inservice treatment of PTSD symptoms or related medical issues. Finally, the analyst determined that the applicant’s Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) does not contain all the specific documents that would indicate the reason for the separation action from the United States Army. If the applicant desires to appear before a personal appearance Board, the burden of proof remains with the former Soldier to provide the appropriate documents or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board’s consideration. 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 that the Board deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 17 August 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA 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 not to change it. 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: None ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090012512 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages