1. Applicant’s Name: a. Application Date: 4 May 2015 b. Date Received: 8 June 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable and a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he requests the upgrade due to the fact that he received a hip injury and was unable to continue training. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 5 August 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason/Authority/Codes/Characterization: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200 / Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 19 March 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 10 March 2015 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was counseled for failing or missing APFT, Hand Grenade, BTT-2, foot marching gate objectives due to a hip injury and advised him he was being recommended for discharge (6 March 2015). (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 10 March 2015 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 10 March 2015 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 3 November 2014 / 3 years and 31 weeks b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / 108 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-2 / None / 4 months and 17 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: Memorandum, dated 27 February 2015, reflects the applicant “has been diagnosed with hip problem. He has been treated since 15 December 2014, with activity modification and rest. Despite 10 weeks of medical treatment and 2 weeks of Physical Therapy [the applicant] continues to have pain. At this time he has reached maximum benefit of services.” Numerous DA Forms 4856 (Developmental Counseling Form), for failing physical fitness standards, hand grenade, BTT-2, foot marching gate objectives; missing training, and, a recommendation for separation under chapter 11. i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293, 4 May 2015; DD Form 214; and his case separation packet with associated training records. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 3-9 contains guidance on entry level separations. It states a separation will be described as entry-level with service uncharacterized if, at the time separation action is initiated, the Soldier has less than 180 days of continuous active duty service. Chapter 11 of AR 635-200 provides for the separation of personnel due to unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or both, while in an entry level status (ELS). An uncharacterized service description is normally granted to Soldiers separating under this chapter. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table identifies the appropriate reentry code to assign the Soldier based on the narrative reason for discharge. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable and a narrative reason change. The applicant’s record of service and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record confirms the applicant’s separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant contends his discharge was due to a hip injury and as a result should have received an honorable discharge. However, the uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant’s overall record of service. The applicant had less than 180 days of continuous active duty service at the time of his discharge. An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier’s military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because his discharge was due to a hip injury. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 11, AR 635-200 with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Entry Level Performance And Conduct," and the separation code is "JGA." 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 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. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 5 August 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change e. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: NA AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: COL, US ARMY Presiding Officer Army Discharge Review Board Legend: 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 BH – Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OMPF - Official Military Personnel File TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP – Military Police – PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS – Entry Level Status MST – Military Sexual Trauma RE - Reentry UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150010170 3