1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 4 April 2017 b. Date Received: 13 April 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant states, in pertinent part and in effect, the uncharacterized discharge was improper because the applicant served more than 180 days with no performance or disciplinary issues. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 August 2018, 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 / LFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 23 November 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 27 October 2015 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: He had developed pain and stress injuries in his right wrist since attempting Initial Entry Training (IET) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. The medical condition prevents him from performing regular PRT and participating in scheduled training events without the possibility of increasing his pain and it could potentially cause further harm. Due to those reasons, he is being recommended for separation from the US Army. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 28 October 2015 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 17 November 2015 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 18 May 2015 / 3 years, 16 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 26 / HS Graduate / 98 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 6 months, 6 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 the commander, dated 17 August 2015, rendered by a medical authority with a Troop Medical Clinic, indicated the applicant developed pain and stress injuries at the right wrist during his Initial Entry Training (IET); that the condition prevented him from fully participating unit PRT and scheduled training events without an increase in pain and potentially raising further harm, and that he would not be able to withstand the rigors of training with his current medical condition. He was being returned to the unit to determine appropriate disposition for training, and that the medical recommendation most appropriate for the applicant was initiating a Chapter 5-17, as an appropriate option for him. 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 4 April 2017. 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 his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and document submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. Although the applicant's record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events which led to his discharge, the applicant's documentary evidence shows that while he was in training status, he was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a condition of a developed pain and stress injuries at the right wrist during his Initial Entry Training (IET). The medical authority further commented that the applicant's condition prevented him from fully participating unit PRT, and scheduled training events without increase in pain and potentially raising further harm, and that he would not be able to withstand the rigors of training with his current condition. The medical authority recommended that initiating a Chapter 5-17 would be an appropriate option for him. The applicant's contentions that his uncharacterized discharge was improper because he served more than 180 days with no performance or disciplinary issues, 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 separation action. His separation was initiated on 27 October 2015, less than 180 days, while 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 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 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 August 2018, 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 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 AR20170007141 1