IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 January 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150006031 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate or Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show she was separated with an honorable characterization of service due to a physical disability. 2. The applicant states: a. In 1996, she entered the Regular Army and was sent to South Carolina for basic training. While in training she began to hemorrhage and was hospitalized for about a week. She was asked if she wanted to go home or stay and finish her basic training. She wanted to stay because that is what she signed up to do. She wanted to serve her country. She was released from the hospital and placed on desk duty. About a week after she was released from desk duty she was back in the hospital with the same problem. Again, she said she wanted to stay in the Army; but, she was not given that option. She was informed that she would receive a dishonorable discharge if she did not accept the decision to go home due to her medical condition. b. She found out in 2013 that she is a veteran and privileged to certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, which she has been denied. To this day, she still suffers from the same medical condition she was diagnosed with having while in the Army. She feels let down by her country. She was willing to give up her life for this great country. When she got home, she felt ashamed. She felt like she had failed to serve her country in the best way she knew. Her 18 year old son is about to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. She has encouraged him. He is a 5th or 6th generation member of the family to join the military. She is very proud to call herself an American. If she could, she would serve now; but, she has been told she is too old. c. She sought help from some of the local veterans who told her that she needed to upgrade her discharge. Her DD Form 214 shows she has an uncharacterized discharge. She has asked for the help of her Congressman to upgrade her discharge as was originally promised. 3. The applicant provides a copy of her DD Form 214 (Member Copy 4). CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. A Standard Form (SF) 88 (Report of Medical Examination) dated 9 May 1996, reports that the applicant underwent a physical examination for enlistment and was found medically qualified for military service. 2. An SF 93 (Report of Medical History), dated 9 May 1996, shows the applicant stated her health was good and she was not taking any medications. She also indicated she: * was allergic to penicillin * had myopia and wore contact lenses * broke her right ankle when 5 years old 3. On 25 June 1996, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. She was subsequently assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for basic combat training. 4. A DA Form 4707 (Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD)) dated 15 July 1996, reports that after careful consideration of the applicant’s medical records, laboratory findings, and medical examination, the board found that the applicant was medically unfit for enlistment in accordance with the then current medical fitness standards. The opinion of the evaluating physician(s) was that her medical condition existed prior to military service. A brief narrative summary stated: a. The applicant’s civilian medical records showed she was suspected of having a pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In September 1995, she was treated for cervicitis with a negative pap smear. b. The applicant had been admitted to the hospital during 29 June – 2 July 1996 for sinusitis/ear infection. c. The applicant complained of heavy pelvic pain with normal pelvic examination. On 12 July 1996, she was medicated for a suspected early PID. d. The applicant was diagnosed with having chronic pelvic pain with suspected PID. It was determined that her retention in the military was not practical. 5. On 15 July 1996, the findings of the EPSBD were approved by the proper authority. On 23 July 1996, the applicant concurred with the EPSBD proceedings and requested to be discharged from the U.S. Army without delay. On 23 July 1996, her company commander recommended she be discharged. 6. On 24 July 1996, the appropriate separation authority directed the applicant be discharged from the Army. She was accordingly discharged on 30 July 1996. 7. A DD Form 214 issued to the applicant on 30 July 1996 shows she was discharged under the provisions Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations - Enlisted Separations), paragraph 5-11, due to failure to meet medical/physical procurement standards. She received an "Uncharacterized" description of service, separation program designator (SPD) code JFW, and reentry (RE) code 3. She had completed 1 month and 6 days of active duty service. 8. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 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 entrance 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 Army Regulation 40-501 (Standards of Medical Fitness), chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of regulation will be uncharacterized if the Soldier is in an entry level status. 9. Entry level status is defined as the first 180 days of continuous active duty or the first 180 days of continuous active service after a service break of more than 92 days of active service. It further states that the character of service for members separated under the provisions of chapter 11 will be uncharacterized. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant contends that her DD Form 214 should be corrected to show she was separated with an honorable characterization of service due to a physical disability. 2. The available evidence shows that the applicant was diagnosed with a pre-existing medical condition that made her unfit for military service. 3. The evidence of record confirms the separation action was initiated while she was in an entry level status, prior to her completing 180 days of continuous active military service. As a result, her service was appropriately described as "uncharacterized." An honorable discharge may be granted only in cases that are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. There are no such circumstances present in her record. As a result, a change to the characterization of her service to honorable is not warranted. 4. The record shows her separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulations. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. 5. An uncharacterized discharge is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier’s military service. It merely means that the Soldier was not in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ___x____ ___x____ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. __________x____________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140003794 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150006031 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1