1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 28 March 2018 b. Date Received: 2 April 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, would like an upgrade of discharge for the purpose of receiving VA Benefits. The applicant developed stress fractures in the lower extremities and could not continue. The applicant did not totally understand what the uncharacterized character of service meant when released. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 17 May 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: 26 June 2009 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 16 June 2009 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: having been recommended by L.Pl, MSPT, CTMC, that she will be separated for having developed stress reactions in her bilateral feet, bilateral tibia, and bilateral knees, it was noted that she would recover from this condition; however, her rehabilitation was expected to take 3-6 months which was not conducive with training at that time. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 16 June 2009 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 19 June 2009 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: ADT, 31 December 2008 / NIF b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 21 / HS Graduate / 118 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 7 months, 20 days (includes inactive service of 1 month, 24 days prior to reporting to IET) d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 7 November 2008 to 30 December 2008 / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Statement from L.P., Physical Therapy Services, CTMC, showing that the applicant had developed stress reactions in her bilateral feet, bilateral tibia, and bilateral knees while training at Fort Leonard Wood. This conditions prevents her from running, climbing stairs/hills, or at times even walking without increase in pain. It was noted that the applicant would not be able to withstand the rigors of training with this conditions. While she would recover from this conditions, her rehabilitation was expected to take 3-6 months which was not a timely manner for the applicant in BCT. Therefore it was recommended that she be separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 or administrative action as deemed necessary by her command. Statement of Medical Examination and Duty Status, shows in block 30 (Details of Accident- Remarks) that the applicant received stress fractures during the execution of normal and planned training during BCT. The applicant was not subjected to any unusual or atypical trauma. Counseling statements reference separation under the provisions of AR 635-200 and Chapter 5-17. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 and Statement of Medical Examination and Duty Status. 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. 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 a training status, was diagnosed by competent medical authority with having developed stress reactions in her bilateral feet, bilateral tibia, and bilateral knees. It was noted that she would recover from this condition; however, her rehabilitation was expected to take 3-6 months which was not conducive with training at that time. Therefore it was recommended that she be separated under the provisions of Chapter 5- 17 or administrative action as deemed necessary by her command. The applicant's service was uncharacterized because she was in entry-level status and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record 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. The applicant contends she did not totally understand what the uncharacterized character of service meant when she was released. However, the Developmental Counseling Form, dated 8 June 2009, that was signed by the applicant, shows that she agreed with the counseling that she received from SGM T.M.G., RCLNO that informed her that she was at his office for ELS counseling due to CTMC recommendation. She was told that she was being recommended for a Chapter 5-17 due to physical impairments as a result of being diagnosed with Stress Reactions in Bilateral Feet/Tibias/Knees. The record does not contain any evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and it appears that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the applicant's rights were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant seeks relief contending that she would like an upgrade of her discharge for the purpose of receiving VA Benefits. However, 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 17 May 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 AR20180006740 1