Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2008/04/17 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: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 030602 Chapter: 5-17 AR: 635-200 Reason: Physical Condition, Not A Disability RE: SPD: JFV Unit/Location: Btry C, 2-80th FA Bn, Fort Sill, OK 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: 19 Current ENL Date: 030128 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 04Mos, 05Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 04Mos, 05Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-1 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 121 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Fresno, CA Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that on 1 May 2003, the applicant was evaluated by competent medical authority and diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with mixed depression and an anxious mood. The applicant manifests a long- standing disorder of character, behavior and/or adaptability that is of such severity so as to preclude further military service. Although not currently at significant risk for suicide or homicide, due to these life-long patterns of maladaptive responses to stress, he may become potentially dangerous to self/others in the future and recommended that the applicant be expeditiously separated from continued active military service under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17. The unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, by reason of other designated physical or mental conditions, for being evaluated by Community Mental Health Services with a long- standing disorder of character, behavior and adaptability that is so severe that it precludes further military service. The applicant may become potentially dangerous to himself and others if stress continues. This condition could interfere with his ability to perform military duties, with service uncharacterized. He was advised of his rights. The applicant declined legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit 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 service uncharacterized. On 20 May 2003, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with service uncharacterized. 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, and the issues he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The evidence of record shows that the applicant had a mental status evaluation by competent medical authority diagnosing him with an adjustment disorder with mixed depression and an anxious mood. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation under provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, by reason of other designated physical or mental conditions, with service uncharacterized. The applicant’s service was uncharacterized because he was in an entry-level status. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status 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 entry level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue and found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 4 February 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 discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 0 No change 5 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 AR20080005970 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages