1. Applicant’s Name: a. Application Date: 29 September 2015 b. Date Received: 5 October 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant states, in effect, he would like an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of improving his employment opportunities. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, as a result of a knee injury he received in basic training he was unable to complete critical parts of his training; therefore, he was discharged with an uncharacterized discharge. He is now concerned that the uncharacterized discharge will prevent him from obtaining employment due to a medical issue that arose during basic training under which he had no control of and which he was told would not have any bearing on his future . In a personal appearance review conducted at Arlington, VA on 23 May 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: Failed Medical / Physical / Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 3 June 2010 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NA (2) Basis for Separation: On 13 May 2010, an Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) convened and determined the applicant’s medical condition (EPTS). The applicant was diagnosed with an Axis 1 for depressive disorder not otherwise specified, by history, existed prior to service; anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, by history, existed prior to service; and learning disorder not otherwise specified, by history, existed prior to service. It was recommended that the applicant be separated from the military service IAW AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11. On 25 May 2010, the applicant reviewed and concurred with the findings of the EPSBD, requested discharge without delay and did not submit any statement on his behalf. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: NA (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 25 May 2010 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 6 April 2010 / 3 years and 19 weeks b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 19 years / HS Graduate / 104 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-2 / None / 1 month and 28 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: Several counseling statements dated between 19 April 2010 and 18 May 2010, for his lack of motivation and his EPTS issues of depression, anxiety, and learning disorder i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: NIF; however, a memorandum dated 13 May 2010, from a psychiatrist at Fort Benning GA, states the applicant was diagnosed with an Axis I for depression, anxiety; and a learning disorder. As a result of the applicant’s past medical history a medical board Chapter 2-27, (AR 40-501) 5-11 EPTS (AR 635-200) was initiated. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: A DD Form 293 and a copy of his DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant states, in effect, since his discharge he has earned his Bachelor’s Degree and own his own business. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 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 AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant’s record of service, the documents and the issues submitted with the application were carefully reviewed. The applicant seeks relief contending, he was discharged as a result of a knee injury he received in basic training. However, the proceedings of the Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) revealed the applicant had several medical conditions which were disqualifying for enlistment and that they existed prior to entry on active duty. Subsequently, these findings were approved by competent medical authorities. The applicant agreed with these findings and the proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. The applicant was discharged in an entry-level status (ELS), with the description of service as uncharacterized. A Soldier is in 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. 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 her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier’s service will be uncharacterized when her separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. Further, a general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an 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 applicant’s record confirms no such unusual circumstances were present and her service did not warrant an honorable discharge. The applicant’s post-service accomplishments have been noted as outlined on the application and the applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. The applicant expressed his desire for an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of being able to improve his employment opportunities. The Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The character of the applicant’s discharge is commensurate with his overall service record. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. DOCUMENTS/TESTIMONY PRESENTED DURING PERSONAL APPEARANCE: In addition to the evidence in the record, the Board carefully considered the additional document(s) and testimony presented by the applicant at the personal appearance hearing. a. The applicant submitted no additional documents or contentions. 10. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a personal appearance review conducted at Arlington, VA on 23 May 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 11. 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 AR20150016793 1