1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 7 October 2018 b. Date Received: 12 October 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, the request is based on having been informed by the recruiter that having flat feet was not an issue, but that the flat feet issues were aggravated and worsened by basic training. As a result, the applicant sustained an injury to the tibia bone in basic training. After the initial aggravation of having flat feet, the applicant received permission to go in for a checkup. The applicant was told that the shoes issued were not sufficient support and were the root of the problem. Eventually, the applicant was issued special insoles that ultimately proved ineffective in preventing further pain due to the flat feet condition. The problem was further exacerbated after continued training, leading to what was later diagnosed as a stress fracture of the tibia bone, well on its way to becoming a compound fracture. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 19 February 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: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200, Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 15 October 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 27 September 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: The applicant failed to adapt to the military environment by refusing to training, which prevents the successful completion of BCT. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: Waived, 2 October 2012 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 4 October 2012 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 26 June 2012 / pursuant to Orders (NIF) to complete basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, and Advanced Individual Training - MOS training at Fort Lee, VA b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / 15 years / 100 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / None / 3 months, 20 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR (7 November 2011 to 25 June 2012) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Discharge Orders 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 9 July 2018; Reports of Medical Examination and History, dated 7 November 2011; Report of Medical Assessment, dated 12 September 2012; two memoranda (separation authority's decision and commander's report); applicant-authored statement; Bachelor of Arts diploma, dated 13 May 2012; three character reference/supporting statements; Certificate of Excellence; and training attendance certificate. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Applicant's documentary evidence shows the applicant being employed with a community-based organization as a "WAVE (Working Against Violence Everywhere)" Youth Council member and advisor. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 3-9 contains guidance on entry level separations. It states a separation will be described as entry-level status (ELS) with service uncharacterized if, at the time separation action is initiated, the Soldier has less than 180 days of continuous active duty service. Chapter 11 of AR 635-200 provides for the separation of personnel due to unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or both, while in an entry level status. An uncharacterized service description is normally granted to Soldiers separating under this chapter. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and 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. 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 "JGA" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 11, Entry Level Performance and Conduct. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JGA" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his uncharacterized discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant contends that an upgrade should be based on his medical issues, specifically when a recruiter informed him that having flat feet would not be an issue, but that they were aggravated and worsened by basic training. However, the evidence of record confirms the applicant's separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 11, for entry level performance and conduct. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while he was in entry level status. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service because he was in an entry level status (ELS) on the date of the initiation of his separation action. 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 available 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 discharge is commensurate with his overall service record while in an entry-level-status. Based on the available 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 19 February 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 AR20180015695 1