Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/02/24 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: 080724 Discharge Received: Date: 080813 Chapter: 5-17 AR: 635-200 Reason: Condition, Not A Disability RE: SPD: JFV Unit/Location: Co A, 1st Bn, 12th In Regt, 1st CAV, Fort Hood, TX 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: 061031 Current ENL Term: 6 Years 20 weeks Current ENL Service: 1 Yrs, 9Mos, 13Days ????? Total Service: 1 Yrs, 9Mos, 13Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 13F10/Fire Support Specialist GT: 103 EDU: GED Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: Evidence of record shows that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with an adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct. On 24 July 2008, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of other designated physical or mental condition, in which the applicant was diagnosed with adjustment disorder with disturbance emotions and conduct on 23 June 2008 and was re-evaluated on 16 July 2008 with the same diagnosis with an honorable discharge. He was advised of his rights, and the applicant acknowledged receipt of the Notification of Separation on 24 July 2008. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service. On 25 July 2008, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with an honorable discharge. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-17 specifically provides that a Soldier may be separated for other physical or mental conditions not amounting to a disability under Army Regulation 635-40, which 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 Regulation 635-200 states that a Soldier being separated under this paragraph will be awarded a characterization of service of honorable, under honorable conditions, or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 unless properly notified of the specific factors in his/her service that warrant such characterization. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records for the period of enlistment under review and the issue he submitted, the analyst recommends that relief be denied in this case. A mental status evaluation by competent medical authority diagnosed the applicant with an adjustment disorder with disturbance of emotions and conduct. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation under provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, by reason of other physical or mental condition not amounting to a disability, with an honorable characterization of service. The analyst was satisfied that all the requirements of law and regulations were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Condition, Not a Disability” and the separation code is "JFV." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 11 December 2009 Location: Washington, D.C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: None Exhibits Submitted: None 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 AR20090018957 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages