ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  23 August 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180002304


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  a change of his characterization of service from 
uncharacterized to medical discharge

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the 
interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states that he was injured while performing activities in Basic Combat 
Training (BCT).  As a result, he was discharged from the Army with a justification of 
“Failure to meet procurement medical fitness standards.”  He contests this 
determination as the injury that he sustained resulted in the physical limitation that 
terminated his military service.

3.  The applicant did not provide any additional documentation. 

4.  A review of the applicant’s service records indicates the following on: 

*	28 March 1998 – he enlisted in the Army Delayed Entry Program with further 
service in the Army
*	9 July 1998 – he was placed on active duty and attended BCT 
*	30 September 1998 (DA Form 4707/Entrance Physical Standards Board 
Proceedings) – reflects a recommendation for separation due to physical 
limitations
*	30 October 1998 (Order# 303-2232) – he was reassigned to the Army Transition 
Point for out-processing with a reporting date of 3 November 1998 and a 
separation date of 4 November 1998
*	4 November 1998 – he was discharged from the Army under the provisions of 
Army Regulation (AR) 635-200, paragraph 5-11; reason for separation: failure to 
meet procurement medical fitness standards 

5.  AR 635-200 (Enlisted Separations) paragraph 5-11 (Separation of Personnel who 
did not meet procurement medical fitness standards) states 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 for initial entry training, will be separated.  Medical proceedings, 
regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified 
by appropriate military medical authority within 6 months of the Soldier’s initial entrance 
on active duty which would have permanently or temporarily disqualified him for entry 
into the military service or entry on active duty initial entry training had it been detected 
at that time.

6.  Paragraph 5-1 (Characterization of service or description of separation) states that 
unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a Soldier being 
separated for the convenience of the Government will be awarded a character of 
service of honorable, under honorable conditions or an uncharacterized description of 
service if in entry level status.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents, 
evidence in the records and published guidance for consideration of discharge upgrade 
requests.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, the length of his service, the 
Entrance Physical Standards Board proceedings and the reason for his separation.  The 
Board found that the applicant, while still in an initial entry status, was determined to not 
meet medical fitness standards for enlistment due to a previous injury.  The Board found 
insufficient evidence to counter the results of the EPSBD; the applicant provided his 
statement but no additional documents.  Based on a preponderance of evidence and 
the applicant’s status at the time, the Board determined that the applicant’s character of 
service was not in error or unjust. 
  
2.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was not warranted.




BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.


	  
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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not Applicable




REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  
This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
(ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of 
limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 (Enlisted Separations) paragraph 5-11 (Separation of 
Personnel who did not meet procurement medical fitness standards) states 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 for initial entry training, will be separated.  Medical 
proceedings, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition 
was identified by appropriate military medical authority within 6 months of the Soldier’s 
initial entrance on active duty which would have permanently or temporarily disqualified 
him for entry into the military service or entry on active duty initial entry training had it 
been detected at that time.

3.  Paragraph 5-1 (Characterization of service or description of separation) states that 
unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a Soldier being 
separated for the convenience of the Government will be awarded a character of 
service of honorable, under honorable conditions or an uncharacterized description of 
service if in entry level status.


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180002304

4

1