1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 5 June 2018 b. Date Received: 10 August 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of uncharacterized discharge to 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 9 August 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, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 16 May 2018 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 28 April 2018 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: On 16 March 2018, a recommendation for separation according to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-17, was sent to the commander, due to bilateral shoulder pain/injury. The commander concurred with the recommendation for separation be initiated due to the lengthy recovery for the applicant's injury. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 3 May 2018 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 14 May 2018 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 6 November 2017 / approximately 20 weeks for OSUT training or until completion (pursuant to Orders for initial active duty training (IADT)) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / 13 years / 91 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 10 months, 19 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR (28 June 2017 to 5 November 2017) / 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 with an expiration date of 15 April 2018, indicates the applicant was diagnosed with bilateral brachial plexopathies; that the applicant appeared to have a medical condition that affected her ability to train; that the applicant was not likely to heal in the training environment; that she was unlikely to return to training without high risk of re-injury over the next four to six months; that she may have only 80 percent recovery after nine months; and that it was recommended her removal from training environment and an initiation of the paragraph 5-17 process. Counseling statements to inform the applicant of the intent to recommend her separation from the Army under paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200 and the intent to transfer her to RHU pending her separation, and referral to counseling with the RCLNO for separation due to bilateral brachial plexopathies. 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 5 June 2018; DD Form 214; IADT Orders 7310019, dated 12 October 2017; discharge orders; three counseling statements, dated 17 and 19 April 2018; separation file; ERB; three Physical Profile Records; medical record, dated 7 March 2018; and Health Record, dated 29 January 2018. 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 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 "bilateral brachial plexophathies," 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 lengthy recovery of the applicant's injury. The applicant's request for an upgrade was carefully considered. However, 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. She was notified and counseled on her impending separation due to the medical provider's diagnosis of her medical condition on 17 April 2018. Her separation was initiated on 28 April 2018, less than 180 days, during the period she 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 her 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 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 9 August 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 AR20180012977 1