1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 2 May 2018 b. Date Received: 7 May 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions) or honorable. The applicant seeking relief did not provide any issues of equity or propriety for the Board's consideration. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 July 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: 13 March 2018 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 20 February 2018 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: The applicant was diagnosed bone stress injuries in the femoral heads that significantly limits his ability to train, and that a health care provider determined that the applicant's separation from the military was best at the time. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived 28 February 2018 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 5 March 2018 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 16 January 2018 / 3 years, 26 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / HS Graduate / 109 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 1 month, 28 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statement, dated 10 February 2018, for the applicant being recommended for separation from the military due developing "bilateral femoral head stress fractures," which prevented him from participating in training, and that continued training and service may be detrimental to his physical well-being. Memorandum, dated 13 February 2018, Subject: Recommendation for Chapter 5-17 [the applicant], rendered by the company commander, provided a summary of the applicant's medical condition that rendered him unfit for duty, and his retention as a Soldier was unsafe and impractical while in the initial entry training. Thereby, the medical authority who examined the applicant for pain in his hips, recommended the applicant's removal from the initial entry training and to separate him under AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 2 May 2018, 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 an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to general (under honorable conditions) or honorable. The applicant's available record of service and his application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record shows the applicant's medical condition was determined by a competent medical authority as a condition of other designated physical or mental condition based on bone scan and MRI, which showed that the applicant was developing early stress fractures in the femoral heads of his hips while he was in training status. The medical authority recommended for the chain of command to remove the applicant from training and discharged him 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 his ability to perform military duties, and that his retention was unsafe and impractical at the time. The applicant's contention for an upgrade was carefully considered. However, the applicant's service was uncharacterized because he 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 his impending separation due to the medical provider's diagnosis of his medical condition on 8 February 2018. His separation was initiated on 20 February 2018, during the period he was in an entry level status. An honorable discharge may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. There are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and his service did not warrant an honorable discharge. A general (under honorable conditions) discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. 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 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 applicant's uncharacterized discharge is commensurate with his service record while in an entry-level-status. 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 15 July 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 AR20180006942 1