Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/03/11 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, “The discharge is based on an erroneous diagnosis of a personality disorder. I was raped by a fellow Soldier in my advanced individual training (AIT) unit at Fort Bliss. This same Soldier raped a number of other female Soldiers in my AIT unit. Most were reported to higher authority, yet the Soldier was never prosecuted. Despite the sexual abuse I suffered as a child and the rape, I contend that I do not have any mental health disabilities which would preclude service for my country. Accordingly, I respectfully request that my discharge be upgraded to honorable and that my RE code be changed in order that I may reenlist in service. It is my heartfelt desire to continue my active duty career and enjoy the benefits afforded to all honorably discharged veterans.” 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: 061025 Discharge Received: Date: 061127 Chapter: 5-13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Personality Disorder RE: SPD: JFX Unit/Location: A Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, TX 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: 20 Current ENL Date: 060421 Current ENL Term: 4 Years 32 Weeks Current ENL Service: 0 Yrs, 7 Mos, 7 Days ????? Total Service: 0 Yrs, 7 Mos, 7 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-1 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 09B10 Trainee GT: 104 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: None V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Lillian, AL Post Service Accomplishments: None VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 12 September 2006, the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a disorder of Axis I: Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood, mood disorder not otherwise specified, Axis II: Personality Disorder Not Otherwise Specified and Axis III: Status post overdose. On 25 October 2006, 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 a personality disorder, with a honorable discharge. She was diagnosed by a medically qualified psychiatrist with having a personality disorder. There is no record of UCMJ actions against the applicant. She was advised of her rights. On 1 November 2006, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit 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 honorable discharge. On 20 November 2006, the separation authority directed 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 5-13 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 for the period of enlistment under review the issue and documents she submitted, the analyst determined that the characterization of service is improper. The analyst noted the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of a personality disorder with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. However, Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13, states that the service of a Soldier separated per this paragraph will be characterized as honorable unless an entry-level separation is required under Chapter 3, section III. Furthermore, at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “3.” If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact the local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Those individuals can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. The applicant contends that the narrative reason for her discharge should be changed. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200 with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. 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 recommends to the Board to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the analyst determined the reason for discharge was fully supported by the record and therefore, remains both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 10 December 2010 Location: Washington, D. C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293, DD Form 214, and Mental status examination 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 characterization of service is improper. The Board noted that the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of a personality disorder with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13, states that the service of a Soldier separated per this paragraph will be characterized as honorable unless an entry-level separation is required under Chapter 3, section III. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant full relief in the form of an upgrade of characterization of service to honorable. However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 5 No change 0 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 Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20100011024 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 3 pages