1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 8 December 2015 b. Date Received: 11 December 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, he respectfully disagrees with the categorization of his discharge. He served honorably for the limited period he was in the US Army. He was informed that he would be granted an honorable discharge. He served six-months and two days; therefore, he met the basic requirement for an honorable discharge. He never had any disciplinary issues while he was in service. Since his discharge, he has continued to live by the Army's core values. An upgrade would allow him to utilize his VA educational benefits. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 June 2017, 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: Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635- 200, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 20 May 2013 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 25 April 2013 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressive mood and occupational problem. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 2 May 2013 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 13 May 2013 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 19 November 2012 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 21 / HS Graduate / 110 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 6 months, 2 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statements for being recommended for separation under the provisions of paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200 by behavioral health; performance having deteriorated; and behavior being concerning through lacking motivation and not interacting with any of the other Solders. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 12 March 2013, reports a diagnosis of "AXIS I: Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood/Occupational Problem." The report further indicates that it was "the professional opinion of the [Licensed Psychologist] that the [applicant] will not respond to command efforts at rehabilitation ..., or to any behavioral health treatment methods currently available in the military," and that the applicant "manifests a long-standing chronic pattern of difficulty adjusting (i.e., Adjustment Disorder) as characterized by: At least two separate instances of maladaptive reaction to identifiable stressful life events." 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge), dated 8 December 2015; separation file; 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 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, which interferes with assignment to or performance of duty and requires that the diagnosis be so severe that the Soldier's ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired. AR 635-200, paragraph 5-1, 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 the service that warrant such characterization. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant, while in training status, was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a condition of an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood and occupational problem. The medical authority further commented that the applicant would not respond to command efforts at rehabilitation or to any behavioral health treatment methods currently available in the military, and that the applicant "manifests a long- standing chronic pattern of difficulty adjusting (i.e., Adjustment Disorder) as characterized by at least two separate instances of maladaptive reaction to identifiable stressful life events. The applicant's contentions were carefully considered. However, the applicant's service was uncharacterized because he was in entry-level status (ELS) and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and his service did not warrant an honorable discharge. An honorable discharge may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. 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 the separation action. His separation was initiated on 25 April 2013, during the period he was in an entry level status. 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 an upgrade would allow him to utilize his VA educational benefits. However, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include medical and educational benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. The record does not contain any evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and it appears that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the applicant's rights were fully protected throughout the separation process. 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. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 June 2017, 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 / Issue a New Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change f. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer 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 NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150019256 1