1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 11 January 2018 b. Date Received: 2 February 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable and a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was injured in basic training and did not heal properly. The applicant had no injury prior to enlisting. If the applicant would have completed basic training if not injured. The applicant has an uncharacterized discharge on the record. 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 was diagnosed with Overuse Syndrome while on active duty. In summary, the applicant did not have a medical diagnosis and the current discharge is appropriate. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 25 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: Condition, Not A Disability / AR 635- 200 / Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 5 December 2014 b. Date of Discharge: c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 19 November 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason for her discharge; bilateral leg and foot pain that is significantly limiting the ability to train. The physical therapist evaluated the applicant on 3 November 2014, she has been on profile for about two weeks for her bilateral leg and foot pain and only in week five of BCT. She has stress changes to her left fibula that is significantly limiting her ability to train and further profiling will make it very difficult for her to graduate in a timely manner with peers. CPT A.D., feels that separation from the military is best at this time. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 19 November 2014 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 26 November 2014 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 29 September 2013 / NIF / OAD b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 26 years / HS Graduate / 98 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / None / 6 months, 22 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 14 May 2014 to 28 September 2014 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant received several negative counseling statements for being notified of Chapter 5-17 separation action; and a statement regarding bilateral leg and foot pain. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages); Chapter 5-17 notification memorandum (two pages); Statement of Medical Examination and Duty Status (three pages); and Radiologist Report (two pages); and a physical therapy memorandum. 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. 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, paragraph 5-17, for a 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 an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable and a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant was discharged by reason of bilateral leg and foot pain that is significantly limiting the ability to train. The physical therapist evaluated the applicant on 3 November 2014, she had been on profile for about two weeks for her bilateral leg and foot pain and only in week five of BCT. She had stress changes to her left fibula that significantly limits her ability to train and further profiling will make it very difficult for her to graduate in a timely manner with peers. CPT A.D., feels that separation from the military was best at the time. 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 his 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 requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. 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, paragraph 5-17, condition, not a disability. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. The applicant seeks relief contending, she was injured in basic training and did not heal properly; and she had no injury prior to enlisting. The record of evidence shows that the applicant was informed of the following reason for her discharge; bilateral leg and foot pain that is significantly limiting the ability to train. The physical therapist evaluated the applicant on 3 November 2014, she had been on profile for about two weeks for her bilateral leg and foot pain and only in week five of BCT. She had stress changes to her left fibula that significantly limits her ability to train and further profiling will make it very difficult for her to graduate in a timely manner with peers. CPT A.D., opined that separation from the military was best at the time. The applicant further contends, If she was not injured she would have completed basic training. The rationale the applicant provided as the basis for what she believes was an unfair discharge is not supportable by the evidence contained in the record and can only be viewed as speculative in nature. The applicant additionally contends, she has an uncharacterized discharge on her record. 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 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 25 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 AR20180003668 1