1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 2 June 2017 b. Date Received: 2 June 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was recommended for discharge in AIT due to medical reasons. The applicant had served more than 180 days at that time. The applicant was told by legal there was an entitlement to an honorable discharge due to serving 180 days of active duty. Per the Board's Medical Officer, a voting member, based on the information available for review at the time in the service record, the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA), and Joint Legacy Viewer (JLV), notes indicate the applicant had EPTS Crohn's Disease which had been in remission for several years but flared up during AIT. The applicant was seen by BH while on active duty for symptoms of depression. In summary, the applicant received the appropriate discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 11 January 2019, 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 / Chapter 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 /Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 18 April 2017 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 24 March 2017 (2) Basis for Separation: The Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings revealed that the applicant was diagnosed with chronic recurrent abdominal pain. The applicant should be immediately removed from all training and physical training. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 4 April 2017, the applicant waived legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 6 April 2017 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 7 November 2016 / 3 years, 22 weeks / block 12a on the applicant's DD Form 214, dated entered active duty this period is incorrect, should read as annotated in the Case Report and Directive. b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 26 years / HS Graduate / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 7 months, 13 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 2 February 2015 to 2 April 2015 / UNC e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 21 March 2017, relates the applicant had an Axis I diagnosis of encounter for screening, unspecified. Applicant was assessed by a qualified behavior health provider and found to have conditions existing prior to service that did not meet the standard according to AR-40-501, Chapter 2-27, Section D. The applicant received several negative counseling statements for pending separation. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages); DD Form 214; Enlisted Record Brief; and a letter, Disabled American Veterans. 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 a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at the 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. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. AR 635-200 states 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 the 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 EPSBD revealed the applicant had a medical condition which 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. A Soldier is in entry-level status (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 her separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status (ELS). An honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and / or performance of duty. The applicant seeks relief contending, he was recommended for discharge in AIT due to medical reasons. However, the EPSBD proceedings found that the applicant was medically unfit for enlistment in accordance with current medical fitness standards and in the opinion of the evaluating physicians the condition existed prior to service. The applicant further contends, he had served more than 180 days at the time of initiation of discharge proceedings; and he was told by legal he was entitled to an honorable discharge due him serving 180 days of active duty. The record shows at the time the discharge was initiated the applicant had completed 4 months, 14 days of active duty. Therefore, the applicant was in entry level status. A Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status (ELS). 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 11 January 2019, 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 AR20170009903 1