1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 20 September 2016 b. Date Received: 26 September 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to general (under honorable conditions) or honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, his discharge rating was unfair due to his condition which developed during service. He had no issues when he came in the service and his condition was the ultimate cause of him being discharged from the service. He needs an upgrade of his discharge to get help for his condition through the VA medical center. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 6 December 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, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 3 May 2011 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 26 April 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason for his discharge; he was physically unable to complete basic combat training due to his mild stress fractures in the femoral necks of both hips. Competent medical authority evaluated him in the Physical Therapy Clinic at the TMC for pain in both hips. He had an MRI that revealed mild stress fractures in the femoral necks of both hips. He was also not an EPTS candidate and did not meet the criteria for a Medical Board. It was recommend that the applicant receive a Chapter 5-17 separation. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 26 April 2011 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 28 April 2011 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 14 February 2011 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 years / One year of college / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 2 months, 20 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: The applicant received a counseling statement dated, 18 April 2011, for being recommended for a Chapter 5-17 separation. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages); DD Form 214; and a VA rating decision (two pages). 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 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 discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD 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 normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 unless properly notified of the specific factors in the service which warrant such characterization. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to general (under honorable conditions) or honorable. 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, competent medical authority evaluated him in the Physical Therapy Clinic at the TMC for pain in both hips. He had an MRI that revealed mild stress fractures in the femoral necks of both hips. He was also not an EPTS candidate and did not meet the criteria for a Medical Board. It was recommend that the applicant receive a Chapter 5-17 separation. A 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 his separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status (ELS). A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The applicant seeks relief contending, his discharge rating was unfair due to his condition which developed during service. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. 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 characterization of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The applicant further contends, he had no issues when he came in the service and his condition was the ultimate cause of him being discharged from the service. The record of evidence shows that competent medical authority evaluated him in the Physical Therapy Clinic at the TMC for pain in both hips. He had an MRI that revealed mild stress fractures in the femoral necks of both hips, which prevented him from completing basic training. The applicant also contends, he needs an upgrade of his discharge to get help for his condition through the VA medical center. Eligibility for veteran's 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 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 6 December 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 AR20160018654 1