1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 23 June 2016 b. Date Received: 5 July 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable, and to change the narrative reason and its corresponding codes for her discharge. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, her discharge was improper because her pre-service medical records were properly listed on her enlistment documents. All her medical records were reviewed and she was medically cleared for enlistment. Her current record shows a separation code that indicates an erroneous enlistment. She made no false statements regarding her medical record, although the physicians at Fort Leonard Wood indicated that she should not have been allowed to enlist. Her DD Form 214 does not show that she completed basic combat training (BCT) on 16 October 2014, at Fort Jackson, SC. She was discharged while she was in Advanced Individual Training. She was informed all her documents were lost as she never received her completion certificate for BCT. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 September 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: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 1 December 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) convened: 23 October 2014 (2) EPSBD Findings: The reported proceedings indicated that a diagnosis of "Persistent pelvic inflammatory disease which Existed Prior to Service and refractory to recent treatment attempts" was found. The Board recommended that the applicant had "a medical condition that existed prior to service. If detected at the time of enlistment date, [it] would have prevented enlistment in the military." The applicant "should be immediately removed from all training and physical training," and "be expeditiously separated from active duty" according to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11 and AR 40-501, paragraph 2-12a(7), and that she "was encouraged to continue her medications for use as directed." (3) Date Applicant Reviewed and Concurred with the Findings, and Requested Discharge without Delay: 19 November 2014 (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, undated memorandum for record (5) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 20 November 2014 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 4 August 2014 / 3 years, 19 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / HS Graduate / 99 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 3 months, 28 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statements for being recommended for separation under the provisions of paragraph 5-11, AR 635-100. DA Form 3349 (Physical Profile), dated 23 October 2014, indicates the applicant was rendered a profile for a medical condition of "Persistent Pelvic Inflammatory (PID) which existed prior to military service refractory to recent treatment." DA Form 4707 (Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) Proceedings, dated 23 October 2014, is described at preceding paragraphs 3c(1)-(3). Memorandum, dated 24 October 2014, rendered by a medical support assistant, indicates the applicant had a medical condition/physical impairment which, if identified at time of initial entry into the Armed Forces, would have precluded her enlistment according to AR 40-501, Chapter 2, and that she was recommended for an administrative separation. Discharge Orders, dated 26 November 2014 i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DA Forms 293 and 149 (Applications for the Review of Discharge and Correction of Military Record, respectively), dated 23 June 2016, with a self- authored cover letter; Report of Medical Examination, dated 11 April 2014; Report of Medical History, dated 11 April 2014; Medical Prescreen of Medical History Report, dated 3 April 2014; and Parents Appreciation Certificate. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically provides that Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the Soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 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. 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 "JFW" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-11, "Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards." The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFW" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable, and to change the narrative reason and its corresponding codes for her discharge. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The proceedings of the Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) revealed the applicant had a medical condition, "persistent pelvic inflammatory disease ... and refractory to recent treatment attempts," which was disqualifying for enlistment and existed prior to entry on active duty. These findings were determined and approved by competent medical authority. The applicant reviewed and concurred with the findings of the EPSB, requested discharge without delay on 19 November 2014. The unit commander recommended the applicant's separation on 19 November 2014, and the administrative separation from the Army was approved on 20 November 2014. The record further confirms the applicant was in an entry level status at the time of her separation proceedings. 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 her separation is initiated while she is in entry level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an 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 applicant's service record contains no such unusual circumstances and her service did not warrant an honorable discharge. Further, 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 the discharge was improper because her medical records prior to her enlistment show that she was medically cleared her for enlistment. However, there is a presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs that shall be applied in any review unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption. The applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support her issues. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that she may have been unjustly discharged. The applicant's statements alone do not overcome the government's presumption of regularity and no additional corroborating and supporting documentation or further evidence has been provided with the request for an upgrade of the discharge. In essence, her uncharacterized discharge was based on her entry-level status. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because she successfully completed all physical and medical examinations and completed her BCT, she was committed to completing her six-year enlistment contract, and her separation code indicates an erroneous enlistment. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-11, AR 635-200 with an uncharacterized discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards," and the separation code is "JFW." 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 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. The applicant contends her current reentry code indicates a required waiver for enlistment, but she did not require no waivers at the time of her enlistment, perhaps an indication that she 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 is 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 applicant contends the Board's decision to grant her relief woud have a major impact on her future and future benefits. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of obtaining veterans' benefits. Further, eligibility for veterans' benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. The applicant contends her DD Form 214 does not show that she completed basic combat training (BCT) on 16 October 2014, at Fort Jackson, SC. However, the applicant's requested change to the DD Form 214, to note the completion of basic combat training, does not fall within the purview of this Board. The applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR), using the enclosed DD Form 149 regarding this matter. A DD Form 149 may also be obtained from a Veterans' Service Organization. The record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with her overall service record while in an entry level status. 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 15 September 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 new Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change f. Restoration to Grade: 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 AR20160012554 3