1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 16 December 2016 b. Date Received: 27 December 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, that "all medical declares honorable and was proven with disability after service." In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 9 March 2018, 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 / Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 5 October 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 16 September 2015 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: having been seen several times for his back issues which were causing him to not be able to perform his physical fitness requirements. It was noted that the United States Army was a demanding lifestyle and required a Soldier to adapt and adhere to its codes, culture, and physical fitness requirements. Therefore he was being separated for unsatisfactory performance as evidenced by his inability. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 22 September 2015, the applicant waived his right to legal counsel (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 26 May 2015 / 3 years, 30 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 4 months, 10 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 26 August 2015, makes reference to no psychiatric diagnosis or condition on Axis I or Axis II. The applicant was diagnosed with Axis III for low back pain. It was noted that the applicant had no psychiatric impairments and the applicant was psychiatrically cleared to participate in the Chapter 11 administrative separation process IAW AR 635-200. Counseling statements for rehabilitation failure and recommendation for a Chapter 11, Entry Level Performance and Conduct separation. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; Department of Veteran Affairs letter, dated 7 March 2016, which shows the applicant was awarded 40 percent service connected disability and that his character of service is honorable. 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 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 that warrant such characterization. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows a mental status evaluation by competent medical authority diagnosed the applicant with an Axis III for lower back pain. It was noted that the applicant had no psychiatric impairments and the applicant was psychiatrically cleared to participate in Chapter 11 administrative separation processing IAW AR 635-200. The applicant seeks relief contending, that he believes his discharge should be upgraded to honorable based on he received disability after service. The applicant's contention was noted; however, evidence in the record shows the separation authority approved the applicant's discharge while in an entry-level status (ELS) as physical condition, not a disability, with the description of service as uncharacterized. Army Regulation 635-200 provides in pertinent part, that a Soldier is in ELS for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the ELS 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 ELS. 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 or performance of duty. The applicant's service record indicated no such unusual circumstances were present at the time of discharge. It should be noted that 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 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 9 March 2018, 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 AR20170004107 2