1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 4 December 2015 b. Date Received: 10 December 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable or general (under honorable conditions). The applicant states, in pertinent part and in effect, she was granted a medical waiver to enlist; however, the injuries consisting of bilateral fractures in her hips occurred in basic training. She was informed that she would be able to reenlist once she was healed. But once she tried to reenlist, it was denied. She states she is "permanently branded" with the uncharacterized discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 February 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Physical Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 28 April 2005 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 13 April 2005 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant had been treated extensively for femoral neck stress fractures; however, the prognosis and recovery time would "unreasonably interfere with the Soldier's ability to successfully ship to training." (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 14 April 2005 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 19 April 2005 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 10 November 2004 / NIF b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / HS Graduate / 96 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 5 months, 19 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statements for intent to administratively separate applicant; requesting to consult with the community health services; and being recommended for convalescent leave. Memorandum for Record, dated 31 March 2005, summarized the extent of the applicant's medical issues, and the professional opinion of the commander and medical providers that she would not successfully complete PTRP and that she was not a good candidate for further rehabilitation efforts. Discharge Orders, dated 19 April 2005 i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 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, which interferes with assignment to or performance of duty and requires that the diagnosis be so severe that the Soldier's ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired. AR 635-200, paragraph 5-1, 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 the service that warrant such characterization. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It identifies the SPD code of "JFV" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, Condition, Not A Disability. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFV" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable or general (under honorable conditions).. The applicant's record of service and the issues submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant, while in training status, was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a condition of a bilateral femoral neck stress fracture she sustained while she was in basic training. Additionally, her consistent pain in her lower abdomen stemming from the gyncological condition of endometriosis and chronic pelvic adhesive disease diagnosed as existing prior to service was waived during her enlistment. The unit commander and treating medical providers further stated that the Soldier would not successfully complete her training and that she was not a good candidate for further rehabilitation efforts; thereby she was recommended for an entry level separation. Further, the record confirms that all the requirements of law and regulations were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant's contentions were carefully considered. However, the applicant's service was uncharacterized because she was in entry-level status (ELS) and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and her service did not warrant an honorable discharge. An honorable discharge may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. Army Regulation 635-200 states that a Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty prior to the initiation of separation action. An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier's military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The applicant contends she was denied reenlistment, an indication of her desire to rejoin the military service. However, Soldiers being processed for separation are assigned reentry codes based on their service records or the reason for discharge. Based on Army Regulation 635-5-1 and the SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table, the applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 3. There are no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters 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 discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 February 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214 / Issue a New Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change e. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: No Change AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150019248 1