1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 23 May 2017 b. Date Received: 26 May 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a change to her narrative reason for separation and a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code from a 3 to 1 for the purpose of being able to reenlist as an officer. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that her discharge was improper because it was based solely on symptoms presented with no testing done. She was presented with a rash on her hands while at the range and it was later determined to be from fire ant bits. However, it was assumed to be linked to a childhood allergy of sulfa drugs and she was discharged. Upon discharge she was informed of a blood test proving no allergy was all she required to reenlist. She had the allergy center test her two childhood allergies and she no longer presented any sensitivity to either. She has spent extensive time on the range in the years since with no issues. Per the Board's Medical Officer, based on the information available for review at the time to include the military electronic medical record, the applicant did not have a mitigating behavioral health condition for the offenses which led to her separation from the Army. There is evidence the SM had allergies for which she was appropriately discharged as Uncharacterized for Condition, Not a Disability. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 28 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: Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635- 200, Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 13 May 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 26 April 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason: failure to adapt to the military environment due to a rash on hands and face that worsens when firing or conducting maintenance on weapons, which prevent the successful completion of BCT (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 30 April 2014 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 5 May 2014 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 25 February 2014 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 22 / 14 years / 112 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / None / 2 months, 19 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: Memorandum which reference a Medical Timeline of the applicant. Counseling states in reference to the applicant's separation under 5-17. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 and medical documents from Parkview Health Laboratories and the Allergy and Asthma Center. 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, general (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. 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 5-17, 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 a change to her narrative reason for separation and a change to the reentry eligibility (RE) code from a 3 to 1 for the purpose of being able to reenlist as an officer. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. Evidence of record shows the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200 with an uncharacterized discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Condition, Not a Disability," and the separation code is "JFV." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The appropriate RE code is 3. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. The applicant seeks relief contending that her discharge was improper because it was based solely on symptoms presented with no testing done. She was presented with a rash on her hands while at the range and it was later determined to be from fire ant bits. However, it was assumed to be linked to a childhood allergy of sulfa drugs and she was discharged. Upon discharge she was informed of a blood test proving no allergy was all she required to reenlist. She had the allergy center test her two childhood allergies and she no longer presented any sensitivity to either. She has spent extensive time on the range in the years since with no issues. However, there is a presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs that shall be applied in any review unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption. The applicant bears the burden of overcoming this presumption through the presentation of substantial and credible evidence to support this issue. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that her discharge was improper. In fact, the applicant was discharge as a result of her failure to adapt to the military environment due to a rash on her hands and face that worsen when firing or conducting maintenance on weapons, which prevent the successful completion of BCT. The applicant's statements alone does not overcome the government's presumption of regularity. The applicant expressed her desire for an upgrade of her discharge for the purpose of being able to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. 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 28 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 AR20170009398 1