1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 13 March 2018 b. Date Received: 19 March 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests to change the narrative reason and its corresponding codes for discharge. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, the reason for discharge is no longer valid or accurate, because the VA has determined and granted a service-connected disability for injuries sustained during basic training. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 May 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, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 23 November 2011 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 9 November 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant had stress injuries in her hips, which prevented the successful completion of BCT (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 9 November 2011 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 16 November 2011 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 2 August 2011 / pursuant to IADT Orders (NIF) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / 99 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 8 months, 20 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR (4 March 2011 to 1 August 2011) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum, dated 2 November 2011, Subject: Recommendation for Chapter 5-17 for [the applicant], rendered by a staff physical therapist, recommended the applicant's separation due to continued pain, despite fulling healing of the stress injuries to her hips. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge), dated 13 March 2018; Staff Physical Therapist memorandum; VA Rating Decision, dated 22 August 2013; and DD Form 214. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided 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. Paragraph 3-9 stipulates that a separation will be described as entry-level with service uncharacterized if processing is initiated while a Soldier is 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. 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 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 to change the narrative reason and its corresponding codes for her discharge. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a medical condition of other designated physical condition, stress injuries to her hips, while in training status. The medical authority recommended for the chain of command to discharge the applicant under the provisions of AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17. The commander concurred with the recommendation that separation be initiated because of the applicant's condition interfered with her ability to successfully complete the basic combat training. The record further confirms the applicant's service was uncharacterized because she was in entry-level status (ELS). Army Regulation 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. The applicant was notified and counseled on her impending separation due to the medical provider's diagnosis of her medical condition on 2 November 2011. Her separation was initiated on 9 November 2011, less than 180 days, during the period she was in an entry level status. 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 requests to change the narrative reason for her separation to disability; however, the narrative reason for her separation is governed by specific directives and as approved by the separation authority. The narrative reason specified by AR 635-5-1 for a discharge under Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17 is "Condition, Not a Disability," and the separation code is JFV. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. The record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. 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 27 May 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 AR20180004329 1