IN THE CASE OF: Ms. BOARD DATE: 6 May 2015 CASE NUMBER: AR20140006564 ___________________________________________________________________________ Board Determination and Directed Action After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and notwithstanding the Discussion and Recommendation which follows, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant’s diagnosis for major depression and anxiety disorder and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the reason for discharge was proper and equitable and voted not to change it. Presiding Officer I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Department of the Army Discharge Review Board in this case. THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST AND STATEMENT: 1. The applicant requests an upgrade of her general, under honorable conditions discharge to honorable. 2. The applicant did not present any issues of equity and propriety for the board to consider. DISCHARGE UNDER REVIEW INFORMATION: a. Application Receipt Date: 10 April 2014 b. Discharge Received: General, Under Honorable Conditions c. Date of Discharge: 13 March 2014 d. Reason/Authority/SPD/RE Code: Physical Standards, AR 635-200, Chapter 13-2e, JFT, RE-3 e. Unit of assignment: D Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Okinawa, Japan f. Current Enlistment Date/Term: 27 March 2012/3 years, 23 weeks g. Current Enlistment Service: 1 year, 11 months, 17 days h. Total Service: 1 year, 11 months, 17 days i. Time Lost: None j. Previous Discharges: None k. Highest Grade Achieved: E-3 l. Military Occupational Specialty: 92F10, Petroleum Supply Specialist m. GT Score: 90 n. Education: HS Graduate o. Overseas Service: Japan p. Combat Service: None q. Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR r. Administrative Separation Board: N/A s. Performance Ratings: N/A t. Counseling Statements: Yes u. Prior Board Review: No SUMMARY OF SERVICE: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 27 March 2012 for a period of 3 years and 23 weeks. She was 18 years old at the time of entry and a high school graduate. She served in Japan and completed 1 year, 11 months, and 17 days of active duty service. When her discharge proceedings were initiated, she was serving at Okinawa, Japan. SEPARATION FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES: 1. The applicant’s service record shows that on 4 February 2014, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 13, by reason of unsatisfactory performance specifically for: a. failing two consecutive Army Physical Fitness Tests (APFT) (131114 and 140108), and b. failing to be in compliance with the Army Weight Control Standards (130802-140108). 2. The unit commander recommended a general, under honorable conditions discharge and advised the applicant of her rights. 3. On 5 February 2014, the applicant waived her right to consult with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and elected not to submit a statement on her behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. 4. On 5 February 2014, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s discharge with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. The applicant was not transferred to the US Army Reserve Control Group. 5. The applicant was discharged from the Army on 13 March 2014, with a characterization of service of general, under honorable conditions. 6. The applicant’s service record does not contain any evidence of unauthorized absences or time lost. EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM THE APPLICANT'S RECORD: 1. Two counseling statements, dated 14 November 2013 and 13 January 2014, for APFT failures. 2. DA Form 3822-R (Report of Mental Status Evaluation), dated 13 November 2013, reflects that the applicant had a clear and normal thought process and was mentally responsible. It was noted that applicant was diagnosed with (Axis I) major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate; anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and (Axis III) none contributing. 3. Discharge Order Number 037-0007, dated 6 February 2014, Headquarters, United States Army Garrison Torii Station, APO Area Pacific, reflects the applicant was discharged from the Regular Army with an effective date of 13 February 2014. EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT: 1. The applicant provided a DD Form 293, dated 8 April 2014, and a DD Form 214 covering the period of service under review. 2. The applicant provided copies of medical documents she received while serving in the military (87 pages). POST-SERVICE ACTIVITY: None was provided with the application. REGULATORY AUTHORITY: 1. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the requirements and procedures for administrative discharge of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13-2e states in pertinent part, that separation proceedings will be initiated for Soldiers without medical limitations who have two consecutive failures of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The reason for discharge will be shown as physical standards. 2. The service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure to meet physical standards will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: 1. The applicant’s request for an upgrade of the characterization of her discharge was carefully considered. However, after examining the applicant’s record of service, her military records, the documents and the issues submitted with the application, there are insufficient mitigating factors to merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. 2. The record confirms that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of her service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By the unsatisfactory performance, the applicant diminished the quality of her service below that meriting an honorable characterization of service. 3. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant’s service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. 4. The records show the proper discharge and separation authority procedures were followed in this case. 5. Therefore, the reason for discharge and the characterization of service being both proper and equitable, recommend the Board deny relief. BOARD DETERMINATION AND DIRECTED ACTION After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and notwithstanding the Discussion and Recommendation, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant’s diagnosis for major depression and anxiety disorder and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the reason for discharge was proper and equitable and voted not to change it. SUMMARY OF ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING: Type of Hearing: Records Review Date: 6 May 2015 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? NA Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Board Vote: Character Change: 5 No Change: 0 Reason Change: 0 No Change: 5 (Board member names available upon request) Board Action Directed: Issue a new DD Form 214: Yes Change Characterization to: Honorable Change Reason to: No Change Change Authority for Separation: NA Change RE Code to: NA Grade Restoration to: NA Other: NA Legend: AMHRR - Army Military Human Resource Record FG - Field Grade IADT – Initial Active Duty Training RE - Reentry AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NA - Not applicable SCM- Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge CID - Criminal investigation Department MP – Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions ADRB Case Report and Directive (cont) AR20140006564 Page 5 of 5 pages ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (ADRB) CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE 1