1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 8 January 2018 b. Date Received: 16 January 2018 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, he was medically discharged after a reaction to a vaccine. The applicant states he performed flawlessly in Army ROTC and was named a Distinguished Military Graduate. The applicant states, he was discharged with Ulcerative Colitis due to reaction to an MMR vaccine at Fort Lewis and now requests an upgrade, which will allow him medical benefits. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 February 2021, 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: Medical Disqualification / AR 145-1 / Chapter 3-43a(5) / NA / NA / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 9 July 2009 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 20 July 2009 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: Under the provisions of AR 145-1, paragraph 3-43a(5), July 1996, his scholarship had been terminated and he had been disenrolled from the Army ROTC program effective 9 July 2009. The reason for this action was based on the medical condition, ulcerative colitis, which precludes appointment as a commissioned officer. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 20 July 2009 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 22 August 2005 / 8 years (USAR) b. Age at Enlistment / Education: 19 / 4 years' college c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: Cadet / None / 3 years, 10 months, 17 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: Distinguished Military Student; Parachutist Badge g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Orders 201-01, dated 20 July 2009, reflects the applicant was discharged from the USAR Control Group (ROTC), Scholarship Cadet, effective 9 July 2009, with an Uncharacterized discharge. Scholarship Termination and Disenrollment from the Army ROTC Program (memo), dated 20 July 2009, reflects under the provisions of AR 145-1, paragraph 3-43a(5), July 1996, the applicant's scholarship had been terminated and he had been disenrolled from the Army ROTC program effective 9 July 2009. The reason for this action was based on the medical condition, ulcerative colitis, which precludes appointment as a commissioned officer. The applicant was discharged from the US Army Reserve (ROTC Control Group) without further obligation, with service uncharacterized. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; NPRC letter. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 135-178 provides for the separation of cadets on disenrollment from the Senior ROTC or an ROTC Scholarship Program. ROTC cadets enrolled in the SROTC Advanced Course or an ROTC Scholarship Program are assigned members of (Control Group ROTC) (AR 140-1) of the IRR, unless they are participating in the ROTC/Simultaneous Membership Program (ROTC/SMP) in accordance with AR 601-210, chapter 10, or NGR 600-200. The disposition of a cadet who is disenrolled from the ROTC Program is prescribed by AR 145-1, chapter 3, section VI, and AR 135-91, paragraph 3-12. The separation authority may order that a cadet be (1) Discharged from the USAR citing this paragraph as the authority; or (2) Retained in the IRR under the MATP in accordance with chapter 1, section V. The service of cadets discharged or retained under the provisions of this paragraph will be described as uncharacterized. Army Regulation 145-1, prescribes policies and general procedures for administering the Army's Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (SROTC) Program. Section VI, paragraph 3-34, prescribes disenrollment of cadets. A nonscholarship cadet may be disenrolled by the Professor of Military Science (PMS). A scholarship cadet may be disenrolled only by the CG, ROTCCC. Disenrollment authority does not include the discharge authority for Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) participants. Paragraph 3-34a(5) reflects cadets will be disenrolled for medical disqualification (to include pregnancy if complications exist) when determined and approved by HQ, ROTCCC, or higher authority. A medical condition that precludes appointment will be cause for disenrollment. 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 available record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. Evidence of the record confirms the applicant had a medical condition, which precluded the appointment as a commissioned officer. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating the command's action was erroneous, such that he should have been retained in the Army ROTC Program. 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 Cadet's military service. It merely means that the Cadet 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 that an upgrade of his discharge would allow medical benefits. However, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include medical benefits, 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 applicant contends that he had good service. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. 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 10 February 2021, 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 / 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 AR20180003312 1