Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/03/24 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See 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: 090202 Discharge Received: Date: 090225 Chapter: 5-11 AR: 635-200 Reason: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards RE: SPD: JFW Unit/Location: Co E, 187th Ordance BN, Ft Jackson, SC 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: 32 Current ENL Date: 080903 Current ENL Term: 3 Years 30 weeks Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 05Mos, 23Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 05Mos, 23Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E4 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: NIF EDU: HS Grad Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Oak Park, MI Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 28 January 2009, after careful consideration of medical records, laboratory findings, and medical examinations, the Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) found that the applicant was medically unfit for enlistment in accordance with current medical fitness standards, he was diagnosed with backache and in the opinion of the evaluating physicians the condition existed prior to service. On 29 January 2009, the medical approving authority approved the findings of the Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB). The applicant was informed of the Entrance Physical Standards Board findings. On 2 February 2009, the unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service. On 5 February 2009, the applicant concurred with the medical proceedings, and requested to be discharged from the U.S. Army. On 10 February 2009, the intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a honorable discharge. On 18 February 2009 the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized discharge. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically 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 entry 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, chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of regulation will normally be honorable, but will be uncharacterized if the Soldier is in an entry-level status. Army Regulation 635-200 states that a Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty prior to the initiation of separation action. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records, and the issue he submitted, to include his supporting documents, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. The proceedings of the Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) revealed that the applicant had a medical condition that was disqualifying for enlistment and that it existed prior to entry on active duty. Subsequently, these findings were approved by competent medical authority. The applicant agreed with these findings and the proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and that the rights of the applicant were fully protected through the separation process. 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. Further, for Soldiers in entry-level status, a fully honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The analyst determined that no such unusual circumstances were present in the applicant’s record and his service did not warrant an honorable discharge. Furthermore, the analyst found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command. The officer mentioned in the applicant's issue, was the intermediate commander and therefore was making a recommendation to the separation authority. The separation authority is the final approving authority for granting discharges from the Army. In view of the foregoing, the analyst recommends to the Board that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service remain both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 18 December 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: NA ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090006990 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages