1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 25 November 2015 b. Date Received: 7 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 effect, during his military career, he demonstrated the utmost Army values. His service record reflects only positive remarks and the makings of a true Soldier. The applicant completed all the FAA classes and ground instruction to begin flying. The last thing he needed was a flight physical. It was not until the applicant's results from his physical came back that it was determined there an abnormality with his heart. The flight surgeon was unsure of the exact problem, so the applicant was grounded, and multiple follow-up tests were ordered, which included a 24-hour heart monitoring system and a visit to a cardiologist off base. After receiving the results back from the heart monitoring system and the civilian cardiologist, it was determined that the applicant had a mitral valve regurgitation and regrettably his military career had ended. The applicant states that he misses the military and lifelong friends that he had made. He served his country with the greatest loyalty and respect and has no regrets joining and he would do it again. Since his discharge, the applicant has continued to be a productive member of society, pursuing a technical degree, and doing volunteer work. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 February 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: Disability, Existed Prior To Service PEB / AR 635-40, Chapter 4-24b (4) / JFM / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 24 June 2009 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: NIF (3) Recommended Characterization: NIF (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NIF (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 18 September 2008 (IADT) / 31 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / HS Graduate / 113 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 11 months, 15 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 25 July 2008 to 18 September 2008 / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: NA i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293, with all allied documents listed in block 8 of the application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: The applicant works full time as a lead supervisor, currently pursuing a technical degree, and volunteers in the community. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-40 governs the evaluation for physical fitness of Soldiers who may be unfit to perform their military duties because of a physical disability. Chapter 4 provides for the separation of enlisted Soldiers found to be unfit by a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) due to a condition which occurred in the line of duty and not due to the Soldier's misconduct. Paragraph 4-24b(4) provides that Soldiers not having sufficient time in service for retirement would be separated by reason of disability without severance pay because of a condition that existed prior to military service. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-40 will normally be honorable unless the Soldier is in entry-level status. The service of Soldiers in entry-level status will be uncharacterized. 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 available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to his discharge from the Army. Absent evidence to the contrary, it appears the applicant's separation was initiated while he was still in entry-level status and the applicant's separation was accomplished within 72 hours following approval. A fully honorable discharge may be granted to Soldiers in entry-level status, only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The record does not indicate such unusual circumstances were present. The applicant contends that since leaving the Army, he has been employed continuously since. He is pursuing his technical degree, volunteers and is a productive citizen in his community. The applicant's post-service accomplishments have been noted as outlined on the application and in the documents with the application. However, in review of the applicant's entire service record and the reasons for the discharge, it appears that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. The applicant contends that he had good service, which included several accomplishments. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it will be his responsibility to meet the burden of proof and provide the appropriate documents (i.e., the discharge packet) or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board's consideration because they are not available in the official record. 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 15 February 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 SPD / RE Code to: No Change e. 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 AR20160001416 1