1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 12 May 2017 b. Date Received: 15 May 2017 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, that his DD Form 214 block 28 states "Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards," however, he completed basic training and AIT, and he graduated. He contends the damage to his eyes did not exist prior to basic training and AIT. He noticed difficulties with his vision at night a few days before he graduated from AIT training. Once the damage was found, the Army stated he did not meet US Army standards. He enlisted 100% ready, willing and able to serve his country. Now he has an uncharacterized discharge which should be honorable. He has a service connected disability which has gone ignored and he feels cheated out of his career. His enlistment was due to honorable intentions, he wanted to serve his country; however, due to wanting to serve his country he now has a disability. He is willing to go through any test necessary in order to change his discharge from uncharacterized to honorable. He believes he should not be punished for something that was out of his control. He is now asking the Army to accept responsibility for what happened to his eye site. He does not want to be forced into a long drawn out legal battle to receive something that he has earned. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 12 September 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: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 4 August 2011 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 15 July 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings show the applicant was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, bilateral (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 26 July 2011, the applicant concur with the proceedings and requested to be discharge from the US Army without delay. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 27 July 2011 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 8 March 2011 / 3 years, 16 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 88 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 4 months, 27 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statement reference failure to complete training and recommendation for separation. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; RA Applicant Data Report; Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings; USMEPCOM PCN 630-3ADP Processes/Enlistee Record; Report of Medical Examination; copy of Orders 213-2228; and DD Form 214 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 5-11 specifically provides that Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the Soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 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. 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 proceedings of the EPSB revealed the applicant had a medical condition (Retinitis Pigmentosa, bilateral). This was disqualifying for enlistment and existed prior to entry on active duty. These findings were approved by competent medical authority and the applicant agreed with the findings and proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. The evidence of records shows the applicant was discharged while in an entry-level status (ELS). A Soldier is in an ELS for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while in an entry level status. An honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases with are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that his DD Form 214 block 28 states "Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards," however, he completed basic training and AIT, and he graduated. He contends the damage to his eyes did not exist prior to basic training and AIT. He noticed difficulties with his vision at night a few days before he graduated from AIT training. Once the damage was found, the Army stated he did not meet US Army standards. He enlisted 100% ready, willing and able to serve his country. Now he has a uncharacterized discharge which should be honorable. He has a service connected disability which has gone ignored and he feels cheated out of his career. His enlistment was due to honorable intentions, he wanted to serve his country; however, due to wanting to serve his country he now has a disability. He is willing to go through any test necessary in order to change his discharge from uncharacterized to honorable. He believes he should not be punished for something that was out of his control. He is now asking the Army to accept responsibility for what happened to his eye site. He does not want to be forced into a long drawn out legal battle to receive something that he has earned. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, evidence shows the applicant had not completed training at the time of discharge. Also, 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. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. 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 had not been in the Army long enough for his character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. 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 September 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 AR20170008422 1