1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 18 August 2016 b. Date Received: 13 September 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, her discharge is inequitable because she has a service-connected disability. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 November 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: 25 February 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 26 January 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was unable to complete the Basic Combat Training due to having knee, back, and ankle pain. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 5 February 2014 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 7 February 2014 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 5 November 2013 / 4 years, 27 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / HS Graduate / 86 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 3 months, 21 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum for Record, dated 7 January 2014, rendered by Physical Therapy, indicates the applicant had a muscular imbalance and weakness causing her continued pain which significantly limited her ability to train, her ability to successfully complete rehabilitation within an acceptable time frame was minimal due to her medical condition, and it recommended that the chain of command consider her for discharge per AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17. Counseling statement for being evaluated by physical therapy; the evaluations showed that the applicant did not qualify for the WTRP (Warrior Training Rehabilitation Program), medical board, or an EPTS (Existing Prior to Service) process; her current medical condition prevented further retention and/or military service; and being recommended for separation according to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge), dated 18 August 2016. 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. Paragraph 3-9 stipulates that a separation will be described as entry-level with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is 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. 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. It identifies the SPD code of "JFV" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, "Condition, Not a Disability." The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFV" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service and the issues submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant, while in training status, was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a medical condition of muscular imbalance and weakness causing continued pain for her knee, back, and ankle pain. The medical authority further commented that the applicant's medical condition was significantly limiting her ability to train and her ability to successfully complete rehabilitation within an acceptable time frame was minimal and her medical condition may hinder successful completion of her initial entrance training without additional delays and profiling. The medical authority recommended for the chain of command to consider her for discharge under the provisions of AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17. The applicant's contentions were carefully considered. However, the applicant's service was uncharacterized because she was in entry-level status (ELS) and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and her 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 separation action. Her separation was initiated on 26 January 2014, less than 180 days, during the period she 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 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 her overall service record while in an entry level status. 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 8 November 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 new Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change f. Restoration to Grade: 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 AR20160016674 1