1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 11 November 2018 b. Date Received: 16 November 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 was sent home for medical reasons and completed all required task before being discharged. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 18 March 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, blocks 25, 26, 27, and 28, contain erroneous entries. The Board directed the following administrative corrections and reissue of the applicant's DD Form 214, as approved by the separation authority: a. block 25, separation authority changed to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11, b. block 26, separation code changed to JGA, c. block 28, narrative reason for separation changed to Entry Level Performance and Conduct. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 30 July 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 6 July 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: Under the provision of AR 635-200, Chapter 11, Entry Level Performance and Conduct, for having willfully refusing to adapt socially and emotionally to military life. The applicant refused to meet the minimum standards prescribed for successful completion of training because of a lack of aptitude, ability, motivation, and self-discipline. Therefore she was qualified to be discharged from service IAW 635- 200, Chapter 11. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 26 June 2012 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 25 July 2012 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 31 January 2012 / 5 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 21 / HS Graduate / 98 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 6 months 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: Several negative counseling statements for various acts of misconduct and duty performance. Also counseling statements reference separation under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 11. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 12 July 2012, which indicates the applicant was diagnosed with an Axis 1 for V70.1 Psych Evaluation Requested by authority. It was noted that the applicant could understand and participated in administrative proceedings. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; medical document reference the use of an inhaler; and DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically provides that Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the Soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 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. 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 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 (ELS). 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. 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. 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 (ELS). An uncharacterized service description is normally granted to Soldiers separating under this chapter. 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 for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Soldiers who are found to lack the necessary motivation, adaptability, self-discipline, ability, or attitude to become productive Soldiers may be expeditiously separated while in entry-level status. 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 entry-level status. At the time the separation action was initiated, the applicant had 5 months and 6 days of active duty service; which reflects she was in an entry-level status. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions 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. Further, 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 her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. The applicant seeks relief contending that she was sent home for medical reasons and completed all required task before she was discharged. The applicant contentions were noted; however, evidence in the records (i.e., separation authority's approval memorandum) shows the applicant was discharged as a result of Entry Level Performance and Conduct, for having willfully refused to adapt socially and emotionally to military life; refusing to meet the minimum standards prescribed for successful completion of training because of a lack of aptitude, ability, motivation, and self-discipline. It was noted that the applicant had a medical condition of Extrinsic Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis, however, the record shows she was given an Albuterol inhaler to be used prior to exercise and or during runs as needed. 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. It should be noted; the service record indicates that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered information on the applicant's DD Form 214, in blocks 25, 26, and 28. The discharge packet confirms the separation authority approved the discharge by reason of Chapter 11, Entry Level Performance and Conduct. Therefore, in view of the foregoing and notwithstanding the propriety of the discharge, it appears the following corrections should be made to the applicant's DD Form 214; a. block 25, separation authority changed to AR 635-200, Chapter 11, b. block 26, separation code changed to JGA, and c. block 28, narrative reason for separation changed to Entry Level Performance and Conduct, as approved by the separation authority. 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 18 March 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, blocks 25, 26, 27, and 28, contain erroneous entries. The Board directed the following administrative corrections and reissue of the applicant's DD Form 214, as approved by the separation authority: a. block 25, separation authority changed to AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11, b. block 26, separation code changed to JGA, c. block 28, narrative reason for separation changed to Entry Level Performance and Conduct. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: Entry Level Performance and Conduct d. Change Authority to: AR 635-200, paragraph 5-11 e. Change SPD / RE Code to: JGA / 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 AR20190000138 1