1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 10 September 2018 b. Date Received: 14 September 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 pertinent part and in effect, completed more than six months of service and was discharged for a documented medical injury. Upon enlisting, the applicant did not have a pre-existing hip condition. An honorable discharge should be granted so the applicant can be treated for the injury that was sustained while on active duty. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 27 February 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that based on severe family matters, the characterization of service was improper. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (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: 18 September 2017 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 21 August 2017 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: On 25 July 2017, a recommendation for separation according to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17, was provided the unit commander, due to hip pain/injury. The commander concurred that the recommendation for separation be initiated due to the lengthy recovery of the applicant's injury. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 24 August 2017 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 10 September 2017 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 21 February 2017 / 5 years, 30 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / 99 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 6 months, 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: Physical Profile Record, dated 25 July 2017, reflects a profile for "Hip Pain/Injury (Bilateral), and the physical therapy recommended separation as deemed appropriated by her command. Counseling statement, dated 8 August 2017, for being processed for discharge under paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: 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 her uncharacterized discharge to honorable. 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, while in training status, was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a medical condition of "Bilateral Hip Pain/Injury." The medical authority recommended for the chain of command to discharge the applicant under the provisions of AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17 (NIF). The medical authority also provided that the applicant's medical condition would significantly interfere with her assignment to or performance of duty, and that her condition seriously impaired her ability to function in the Army. The applicant's contentions were carefully considered. However, the applicant's service was uncharacterized because she was in entry-level status (ELS) and there are no unusual circumstances present in the applicant's record and her service did not warrant an honorable discharge. 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. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. 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. She was notified and counseled on her impending separation due to the medical provider's diagnosis of her medical condition on 8 August 2017. Her separation was initiated on 21 August 2017, less than 181 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 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 February 2019, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that based on severe family matters, the characterization of service was improper. Therefore, the characterization not being proper and equitable, the Board granted relief in the form of an upgrade of the applicant's characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable 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 AR20180012880 1