1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 19 December 2015 b. Date Received: 13 January 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable, a change to the narrative reason for separation, and a change to the RE Code. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he was unjustly discharged. While in basic training, the applicant found out his mother had a tumor in her brain. Knowing there was no one to watch over his mom or help her, the applicant spoke to his drill sergeants about the situation, who in turn sent him to the infirmary where he spoke to a major who asked him how fast he wanted to go home to help his mom. At 19 years old, immature, and having no idea of what was happening, the applicant responded by saying, "as soon as possible." The applicant contends that he was told to just sign papers over and over until he was on a plane headed home. Two weeks later, the applicant was leaving with a Chapter 5-17, based on a mental disorder of some sort, which would later prevent him from rejoining the Army. The applicant attempted to rejoin the military, but was informed that he could not do so with an RE-3 and that he would need to have an RE-1 to reenter. The applicant desires to go back into the Army more than anything and does not want to give up on rejoining. The applicant states that has never had any mental illnesses. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time, AHLTA notes document significant anxiety symptoms which definitely caused occupational dysfunction. While discharge diagnosis is listed as Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Features, the diagnosis of Panic Disorder without Agoraphobia is more accurate. AHLTA notes indicate that applicant had several panic attacks prior to entering Active Duty with no previous mental health treatment. There is no mention of the stressor of his mother having a brain tumor in his medical documentation. Given the severity of his symptomatology while on Active Duty, it is unlikely that the applicant will be able to meet retention standards if he is returned to Active Duty. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 31 March 2017, 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: Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635- 200, Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 1 April 2010 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 10 March 2010 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was diagnosed by a competent CMHS physician with Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood (4 March 2010). (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 8 March 2010 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 23 March 2010 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 3 February 2010 / 4 years, 16 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 96 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 1 month, 29 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM (The applicant's service record reflects he was awarded the NDSM, however, the award is not reflected on his DD Form 214) g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Numerous Developmental Counseling Forms, which include his initial counseling on his 5-17 for Physical or Mental Condition (Panic Attacks); possible separation for panic attacks, and recommendation for separation for Chapter 5-17. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 4 March 2010, reflects the applicant was cleared for administrative actions deemed appropriate by the command. The applicant could understand the difference between right and wrong and could participate in the proceedings. The applicant was diagnosed with (Axis I) Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application. The applicant indicated on his application that he was submitting a letter stating that he did not have any mental illnesses. However, the letter was not included with his application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. 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. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table identifies the appropriate reentry code to assign the Soldier based on the narrative reason for discharge. Secretary of Defense Memorandum for Secretaries of the Military Departments (Subject: Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dated September 3, 2014), provided guidance to help ensure consistency across the military services in consideration of PTSD relevant to Service Members' discharges. "Liberal consideration will be given in petitions for changes in characterization of service to service treatment record entries which document one of more symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or related conditions. Special consideration will be given to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determinations which document PTSD or PTSD-related conditions connected to military services. In cases where Service Records or any document from the period of service substantiated the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now recognized as PTSD or PTSD-related condition during the time of service, liberal consideration will be given to finding that PTSD existed at the time of service. Liberal consideration will also be given in cases where civilian providers confer diagnoses of PTSD or PTSD-related conditions, when case records contain narratives that support symptomatology at the time of service, or when any other evidence which may reasonably indicate that PTSD or a PTSD-related disorder existed at the time of discharge which might have mitigated the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions characterization of service. This guidance in not applicable to cases involving pre- existing conditions which are determined not to have been incurred or aggravated while in military service." 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable, a change to the narrative reason for separation, and a change to the RE Code. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant, while in training status, and was diagnosed by competent medical authority with Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood. The disorder was so severe that his ability to function effectively in the military environment was significantly impaired. It was determined he met the psychiatric criteria for expeditious administrative separation. The applicant's service was uncharacterized because he was in entry-level status and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and his service did not warrant an honorable discharge. 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 that his mother had a brain tumor while he was in basic training and that after speaking to his drill sergeants and the major from the infirmary regarding his mother's health crisis, he was unjustly discharged. The record does not contain any evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and it appears that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the applicant's rights were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant also contends that he was young and immature at the time of the discharge. The record shows the applicant met entrance qualification standards to include age. There is no evidence to indicate the applicant was any less mature than other Soldiers of the same age who successfully completed military service. The applicant desires 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 31 March 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 AR20160000614 1