1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 17 March 2016 b. Date Received: 21 March 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions). The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he is unsure why he received an uncharacterized characterization of service; however, as far as he remembers, the reason for discharge was due to mental health issues per his hospitalizations while on Active Duty. At the time of his discharge, his mental issues impaired his abilities to focus solely on his duties. The uncharacterized characterization of service limits his employment opportunities. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time, the applicant was unable to cope with military life. AHLTA contains no medical documentation other than lab results: urine drug screen done on 18 July 2003 was negative; alcohol levels obtained on 17 July 2003 were also negative. Review of JLV indicates it contains only DOD content. In summary, it appears that this is an applicant who developed Major Depressive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder while in Tech School. The conditions left the applicant unable to cope with the rigors of Army life and led to him developing suicidal ideation leading to two suicide attempts via overdose and two psychiatric hospitalizations. It appears that his command had little sympathy for the applicant's mental health condition as indicated by the counseling statements. In fact, his command actually sounds angry that the applicant attempted suicide the day after he was discharged from the hospital for suicidal ideation. In actuality, the period of highest suicide risk for hospitalized depressed patients is the 7-10 days immediately after an inpatient stay. The applicant's suicide attempt shortly after being discharged from the hospital indicates not that he was acting out (as command infers) but, rather, that he was discharged too soon. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 12 May 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: Physical Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635-200, Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 13 August 2003 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 7 August 2003 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was diagnosed as having a Major Depressive Disorder and had been hospitalized twice and was incapable of coping with military life. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 7 August 2003 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 11 August 2003 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 22 April 2003 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 24 / HS Graduate / 112 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 3 months, 22 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Two Developmental Counseling Forms for hospital admittance for suicidal ideations and for intent to separate from service. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Statement of Medical Condition (memo), dated 21 July 2003, reflects the applicant was diagnosed with (Axis I) Major Depressive Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted 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. Secretary of Defense Memorandum for Secretaries of the Military Departments (Subject: Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dated September 3, 2014), provided guidance to help ensure consistency across the military services in consideration of PTSD relevant to Service Members' discharges. "Liberal consideration will be given in petitions for changes in characterization of service to service treatment record entries which document one of more symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or related conditions. Special consideration will be given to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determinations which document PTSD or PTSD-related conditions connected to military services. In cases where Service Records or any document from the period of service substantiated the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now recognized as PTSD or PTSD-related condition during the time of service, liberal consideration will be given to finding that PTSD existed at the time of service. Liberal consideration will also be given in cases where civilian providers confer diagnoses of PTSD or PTSD-related conditions, when case records contain narratives that support symptomatology at the time of service, or when any other evidence which may reasonably indicate that PTSD or a PTSD-related disorder existed at the time of discharge which might have mitigated the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions characterization of service. This guidance in not applicable to cases involving pre- existing conditions which are determined not to have been incurred or aggravated while in military service." 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, 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 a competent medical authority with a Major Depressive Disorder, which prevented him from completing training. It was determined this disorder interfered with his ability to perform his duties as he missed many training sessions and the diagnosis was so severe that his ability to function in the military environment was significantly impaired. The applicant's service was uncharacterized because he was in entry-level status and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and his service did not warrant an honorable 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 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 applicant contends that an upgrade of his discharge will allow him to obtain better employment. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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 12 May 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 AR20160006449 3