Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/04/03 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See enclosed DD Form 293 submitted by the applicant. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 060307 Discharge Received: Date: 060409 Chapter: 5-17 AR: 635-200 Reason: Condition, Not A Disability RE: SPD: JFV Unit/Location: Co A, 40th EN Bn, APO AE 09034 Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 030501 Current ENL Term: 3 Years extended for 5 months (031008) Current ENL Service: 02 Yrs, 11Mos, 09Days ????? Total Service: 02 Yrs, 11Mos, 09Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 21B10 Combat Engineer GT: 101 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Germany/Southwest Asia Combat: Iraq (031020-040704)/Kuwait(051115-051201) Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Houston, TX Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that on 23 February 2006, the applicant was evaluated by competent medical authority and diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features, and is unable to function as a Soldier due to his mental condition. On 7 March 2006, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of AR 635-200,Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-17, other designated physical or mental Conditions, by reason of a physical condition, not a disability for an adjustment disorder with mixed emotional features. On 26 December 2005, the applicant and his spouse returned from emergency leave due to the suicide of his mother-in-law, and the applicant experienced significant emotional problems because of this. He became extremely distracted and unable to complete normal tasks, and as of 21 February 2006, he has failed to overcome these deficiencies and it is clear that further treatment would likely fail to improve his performance; and this condition makes him unfit for continued military service, with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 26 March 2006, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-17 provides that a Soldier may be separated for other physical or mental conditions not amounting to a disability under Army Regulation 635-40, that interferes with assignment to or performance of duty. The regulation requires that the condition interferes with the Soldiers’ ability to perform duty, and requires that the diagnosis be so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired. Army policy states that the service of personnel separated under this paragraph will be characterized as honorable, general, under honorable conditions, or uncharacterized if in entry-level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and document he submitted, the analyst determined that the characterization of service is improper. Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-1b, states 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 service record that warrants such a characterization, using the notification procedure. In view of the aforementioned, the analyst recommends to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 30 January 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the characterization of service is improper. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 5 No change 0 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080005116 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages