1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 23 January 2018 b. Date Received: 25 January 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable or general (under honorable conditions). The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that at the time of discharge, the applicant lacked 180 days of service. The applicant concerts that with the current standard of 90 days service, will constitute the upgrade to Honorable. This will grant the applicant the necessary medical treatment and compensation from the Veterans Administration for the continued knee abnormalities were not present prior to military service. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 April 2020, 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: 20 January 2010 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 25 November 2009 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: for a joint pain, localized in the knee, it was recommended that the applicant be separated from the US Army for failure to meet medical procurement standards IAW 40-501, Chapter 2 paragraph 10d(1) (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 13 January 2010, the applicant concur with the proceedings and requested to be discharged from the US Army without delay (5) Administrative Separation Board: None (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 13 January 2010 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: ADT, 21 September 2009 / NIF b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 30 / HS Graduate / 91 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / None / 8 months, 1 day d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 20 May 2009 to 20 September 2009 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: NIF i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; self-authored memo; medical documents from Southwest Oklahoma, MRI; chronological record of medical care, dated 16 May 2008; memorandum for record, dated 24 April 2009, from SGOSY/Physical Therapy; and memorandum for record, dated 9 November 2009, reference the applicant's degenerative changes in her left knee that would inhibit her ability to train effectively 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, 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of her uncharacterized discharge to honorable or general (under honorable conditions). The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The applicant seeks relief contending that at the time of her discharge she lacked 180 days of service. She contends that she concert that with the current standard of 90 days service, will constitute the upgrade to Honorable. This will grant her the necessary medical treatment and compensation from the Veterans Administration for the continued knee abnormalities were not present prior to her military service. The evidence of record shows the applicant, while in training status, was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a joint pain, localized in the knee, it was recommended that the applicant be separated from the US Army for failure to meet medical procurement standards IAW 40-501, Chapter 2 paragraph 10d(1). The applicant's service was uncharacterized because she was in entry-level status (ELS). A Soldier is in ELS for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. Army Regulation 635-200 provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when separated in ELS. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. The service record confirms that no such unusual circumstances were present and her service did not warrant an honorable discharge. 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 her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. It should be noted that for ARNGUS and USAR Soldiers, entry-level status begins upon enlistment in the ARNG or USAR. For Soldiers ordered to IADT for one continuous period, it terminates 180 days after beginning training. For Soldiers ordered to IADT for the split or alternate training option, it terminates 90 days after beginning Phase II advanced individual training (AIT). Soldiers completing Phase I BT or basic combat training (BCT) remain in entry- level status until 90 days after beginning Phase II. Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. 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 1 April 2020, 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 AR20180002422 1