1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 7 November 2017 b. Date Received: 27 November 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable and a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, believes the six months and three days of service warrants an honorable discharge. The applicant completed basic training and the first week of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), when the applicant sustained a grade four stress fracture to the left hip femoral neck. The applicant was out-processed after the unit completed a Line of Duty Investigation (LOD) that found the injury did occur in the line of duty. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 23 August 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: Condition, Not a Disability / AR 635- 200, Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 27 July 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: She had been evaluated by General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital Orthopedics and it was determined that she had developed a left femoral neck stress fracture. Due to her diagnosis, she was unable to complete Advanced Individual Training. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 25 February 2016 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 25 January 2016 / 16 weeks (IADT) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 26 / Associate's Degree / 96 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / None / 7 months, 26 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 2 December 2015 - 27 July 2016 / UNC (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Statement of Medical Examination and Duty Status, dated 20 June 2016, reflects the applicant incurred an injury in the line of duty. Chapter 5-17 Recommendation, (memo), dated 30 June 2016, reflects the applicant was evaluated by a Physical Therapist for a stress fracture at the left femoral neck. She has been treated non-operatively over the previous four months and continued to have pain and would not be able to withstand the rigors of training with this condition. There was a poor prognosis for completion of training in a timely manner. From a medical perspective, the Soldier was returned to the unit commander to determine appropriate disposition for training. The medical recommendation most appropriate for this the applicant was separation under AR 635-200, Chapter 5-17. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; Line of Duty Investigation, with allied documents; Recommendation for Separation; VA benefits decision. 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. 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. 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable and a narrative reason change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant, while in training status, was evaluated by competent medical authority and determined the applicant had a bilateral hip, knee, shins, ankles, back and left shoulder pain. It was determined these injuries would prevent her from completing training. The applicant contends she warrants an honorable discharge, based on her six months of service and a LOD investigation. However, the evidence of the record reflects that the applicant was ordered to IADT on 25 January 2016, and the notification of initiation of separation proceedings was dated 18 July 2016. The separation authority directed the applicant's separation on 25 July 2016. As of the date of the notification, the applicant had 175 days of continuous Active Duty service, which indicates the applicant was in an entry-level status. Further, 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 has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200 with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Condition, Not a Disability Abuse," 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 regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. 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 23 August 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 AR20180000310 1