1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 19 May 2016 b. Date Received: 23 May 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he enlisted for Active Duty Army Service and attended basic training, wherein he sustained injuries and was separated from service. After his discharge, he went to the VA for his injuries and was evaluated by a doctor. He was granted a veteran status with a service connected disability of 50 percent for his injuries. Additionally, he was notified that he was considered to be an honorable, Army service connected veteran. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 July 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: 11 May 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 23 April 2015 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: The applicant had a bilateral hip, knee, shins, ankle, back and left shoulder pain, which hindered him from completing BCT. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 24 April 2015, the applicant waived his rights to consult with a JAG officer. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 5 May 2015 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 3 March 2015 / 3 years, 25 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 22 / HS Graduate / 101 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 2 months, 9 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM / The applicant's service record reflects he received this award, however, this award is not reflected on his DD Form 214. g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum for record, dated 1 April 2015, reflects the applicant was evaluated by a Physical Therapist for bilateral hip, knee, shins, ankles, back and left shoulder pain. He had a bilateral calcanei bone stress injuries and had been in pain and on profile for 2 weeks and was only in week 4 of BCT. This injury was significantly limiting his ability to train and further profiling will make it very difficult for him to graduate in a timely manner with peers. The recommendation was that the chain of command consider him for discharge under AR 635-200, Chapter 5-17. Several Developmental Counseling Forms, for intent to separate him based on a diagnosed injury or illness, which condition was unlikely to respond to any command efforts at rehabilitation nor any treatment methods currently available in any military treatment facility. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; DD Form 214; and, a VA Disability Decision letter. 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions). 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, was evaluated by competent medical authority and determined the applicant had a bilateral hip, knee, shins, ankles, back and left shoulder pain. It was determined these injuries would prevent him from completing training. The applicant contends his service was determined to honorable by the VA for the purpose of medical benefits. However, 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 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 27 July 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 Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change f. 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 AR20160009828 3