ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS BOARD DATE: 18 August 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190013271 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of her DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show in: * item 24 (Character of Service) honorable * item 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) change reason from condition, not a disability APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DA Form 4856 (Developmental Counseling Form), dated 1 October 2018 * DD Form 2697 (Report of Medical Assessment), dated 10 October 2018 * Memorandum, Subject: Chapter 5-17 Recommendation, dated 10 October 2018 * DD Form 214, dated 20 November 2018 * Congressional assistance request * Self-authored letter FACTS: 1. The applicant states the record is in error because she was injured two weeks into basic training. She has medical records and x-rays from the hospital, where it shows she was injured. The injury did not allow her to be physical, leading to her failing her physical fitness test and getting sent to the Fitness Training Company. The injury did not allow her to continue basic training and led to her chapter 5-17. 2. A review of the applicant's official records shows the following: a. On 20 August 2018, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. b. On 10 October 2018, by memorandum, a U.S. Army Medical Activity, Fort Jackson, SC, official recommended the applicant be processed for separation if indicated under the provisions of Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 (Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations), chapter 5-17 for bone stress injuries sustained as a result of the impact stresses from normal physical activities required in training (marching, running, jumping). The diagnosis was confirmed by x-ray. She was deemed unfit to continue service in the Army. c. On 22 October 2018, the applicant was officially counseled by her platoon drill sergeant pertaining to her physical fitness test failure on 7 September 2018. She was recommended chapter 5-17 due to not healing or getting better. She did not meet the criteria for an injury that existed prior to service or a medical evaluation board. She agreed with the counseling and endorsed this form with her signature. d. On 6 November 2018, the applicant's immediate commander initiated separation actions under the provisions of AR 635-200, chapter 5-17, for other designated physical or mental conditions. Her immediate commander cited the applicant was injured in basic combat training, placed on convalescent leave and transferred to the 120th Adjutant General Battalion. On 5 September 2018, the applicant was diagnosed as having stress injuries in both hips and knees limiting her ability to train. e. The applicant acknowledged receipt of the notification of her proposed separation action. She consulted with counsel who advised her of the basis for the contemplated separation and its effects, the rights available to her and the effect of a waiver of her rights. She made the following choices: * she waived consideration of her case by an administrative separation board * she waived a personal appearance before an administrative separation board * she elected not to submit statements on her behalf * she may be ineligible for many or all benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws and she may encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life f. Subsequent to this acknowledgement, the applicant’s immediate commander initiated separation action against her in accordance with AR 635-200, chapter 5-17. Her immediate commander cited the applicant was injured in basic combat training, placed on convalescent leave and transferred to the 120th Adjutant General Battalion. On 5 September 2018, the applicant was diagnosed as having stress injuries in both hips and knees limiting her ability to train. Her intermediate commander concurred with her immediate commander's recommendation and further recommended the applicant be separated prior to her expiration of her current term of service and her service be uncharacterized. g. On 15 November 2018, the separation authority approved the applicant’s separation in accordance with AR 635-200, chapter 5-17, and ordered the applicant discharged with her service characterized as uncharacterized. h. On 20 November 2018, the applicant was discharged from active duty. Her DD Form 214 shows: * she was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, chapter 5-13 or 5-17 * she completed 3 months and 1 day of net active service * item 24 (Character of Service) shows "uncharacterized" * item 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) shows "condition, not a disability" 3. The applicant provides: a. DA Form 2697 showing the applicant was seen for knee pain that prevented her from performing her assigned duties. The official completing the form cited she had been having knee pain since the second week of basic training. Her x-rays showed medial tibial stress fractures. She needed time out of the military environment to heal and recommended a chapter 5-17. b. Congressional assistance request wherein the applicant requested assistance from the office of the Honorable Ms. X- S- to have her narrative reason for separation changed. c. Self-authored notes and letter that state in pertinent part: (1) She was also issued shoe inserts because they thought it might have been because of her feet. She does not have documentation on those, as they are ready to go one-size fits most. She also has a disk of x-rays, but during this difficult time, she was not able to find someone to print them. The first set of x-rays is when she was told she was injured and the second was when they wanted to make sure that she was healing, and that is when they found out she was not, and they started talking about her chapter. She is requesting this change because her DD214 states that her separation was not due do an injury, and she has everything that states otherwise. It has impacted what she can do on a daily basis and outdoor activities. (2) She believes that the change on her DD Form 214 is much needed because when she joined the military she had no issues as she was checked out at her local Army military entrance processing station. She had no previous injuries to the injury she has now that she sustained at basic combat training at Fort Jackson. When she was told she had injuries, she did everything that she could at Fort Jackson. She did physical therapy, she was given shoe inserts, and she also saw an athletic trainer. She would like her DD Form 214 changed. After she was discharged, she realized her knees were not how they were before entering basic combat training. She can barely run, she can only be on her feet for so long before her knees start to give out, also they hurt on a regular basis. She cannot do most things that involve activities because she can only stand for so long before her knees end up giving out. It has been a long journey with all of this. Her life has become a little bit challenging living with this injury, as she cannot lay down all day. She believes it should be changed due to the fact that it could help her. Help her figure out what is going on with the injury she sustained while in basic training. It would help her get the help that is needed because she is not able to use her legs as before. She needs the change because coming out of basic training was not as easy as going in. She went in without any injuries and came out with one. It will allow her to expand on the proper doctors and help that is needed for this injury. It will help her get substation as she is not able to work at the moment because she cannot be on her feet for so long. Coming out with an injury is not as easy as she cannot work, and provide for her child, the same reason why she joined The US Army. Changing her discharge would help her take care of her daughter and also take care of her health with these injuries. 4. See applicable references below. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is insufficient evidence to grant relief. The governing regulation provides that a separation will be described as an entry-level separation, with service uncharacterized, if the separation action is initiated while a Soldier is in entry-level status. The applicant served 3 months and 1 day on active service. She acquired stress injuries to her knees during basic combat training and could not continue training. As such, her DD Form 214 properly shows her service as uncharacterized, with proper narrative reason, “Condition, not a disabilty.” 2. An uncharacterized discharge is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier’s military service. It merely means the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. As a result, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request. 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. X 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. REFERENCES: 1. AR 635-200 (Active Duty Enlisted Administrative Separations) states set forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 5-17 provided for the separation of personnel due to other designated physical or mental conditions that potentially interfere with performance of duty. When a commander determines a Soldier has a physical condition that potentially interferes with performance of duty, the commander will refer the Soldier for a medical examination. A recommendation for separation must be supported by documentation confirming the existence of the physical condition. a. Unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a Soldier being separated for the convenience of the Government will be given an uncharacterized description of service if in an entry-level status. b. No Soldier will be awarded a character of service under honorable conditions under this chapter unless the Soldier is notified of the specific factors in his/her service record that warrant such a characterization, using the notification procedure. Such characterization is normally inappropriate for Soldiers separated under the provisions of paragraphs 5–4, 5–11, 5–12, 5–15, 5–16, or 5–17. 2. AR 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) prescribes policy and procedural guidance relating to transition management. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of discharge. * item 24, for Soldiers being released from the custody and control of the Army enter uncharacterized unless directed otherwise by the separation authority * item 28, is based on regulatory or other authority //NOTHING FOLLOWS//