1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 12 June 2018 b. Date Received: 8 August 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of an uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that the applicant gave the Army the absolute best and after being injured, through no fault of one's own, she was separated with a discharge that does not represent the character of service the applicant gave the Army. The applicant was injured in boot camp, during the team obstacle course which the applicant was dropped off a wall by a team member and was told to walk it off. The applicant tore a ligament in the knee and had stress fractures in the tibia and femur. It was determined the applicant should try to restart boot camp while the applicant was on crutches. The applicant gave it all one had to give but could not complete boot camp on crutches. The applicant gave the Army honorable service. The applicant contends that others in the company received injures and the applicant was specifically told that about receiving an uncharacterized discharge because the applicant was not in for two years and that VA would recognize and accept this discharge so that the applicant could receive medical benefits. The applicant went to the VA Hospital in Reno and was told they did not know and would not accept an uncharacterized discharge, especially with conditions, not a disability as the reason for separation. The applicant honestly planned on making the Army a career and respectfully request an upgrade of discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 4 March 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, Chapter 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 20 January 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 9 January 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason: for not being able to complete Basic Combat Training due to being diagnosed with pain and instability of the left knee. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 9 January 2012, the applicant waived her right to legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: None (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 12 January 2012 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 6 September 2011 / 3 years, 40 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 113 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 4 months, 15 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum for Commander, dated 5 December 2011, reference the applicant having been under the care of the Physical Therapy Clinic at the TMC for pain and instability of the left knee that developed after partially dislocating her kneecap while in training. Training records. Counseling statement's reference Chapter 5-17 discharge. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; letter of support; separation documents; enlistment documents; chronological records of medical care; and DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with his 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 confirms the applicant's separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Evidence in the records show the applicant was discharged by reason of not being able to complete Basic Combat Training due to being diagnosed with pain and instability of the left knee. Due to her diagnosis, she was unable to complete Basic Combat Training. The separation authority approved the applicant's discharge as entry-level status, with the description of service as uncharacterized. Army Regulation 635-200 provides in pertinent part, that 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. The Regulation also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in 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 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 applicant seeks relief contending that she gave the Army her absolute best and after being injured, through no fault of her own, she was separated with a discharge that does not represent the character of service she gave the Army. The applicant contends she was injured in boot camp, during the team obstacle course which she was dropped off a wall by a team member, she was told to walk it off. She tore a ligament in her knee and had stress fractures in her tibia and femur. It was determined she should try to restart boot camp while she was on crutches. She gave it all she had to give but she could not complete boot camp on crutches. She believes she gave the Army honorable service. The applicant contends that others in the company received injures and she was specifically told that she was receiving an uncharacterized discharge because she was not in for two years and that VA would recognize and accept this discharge so that she could receive medical benefits. She went to the VA Hospital in Reno and was told they did not know and would not accept an uncharacterized discharge, especially with conditions, not a disability as the reason for separation. She honestly planned on making the Army a career and respectfully request an upgrade of her discharge. 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 character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with her overall service record. 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 4 March 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 AR20180011551 4