1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 4 January 2019 b. Date Received: 10 January 2019 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was injured while training to become a Soldier. The applicant's service was honorable. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 May 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, Paragraph 5-17 / JFV / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 19 November 2018 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 24 October 2018 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason for her discharge: on 7 September 2018, a recommendation for separation in accordance with AR 635- 200, Chapter 5-17 was sent to unit commander, due to bilateral knee pain / injury. He concurred with the recommendation that separation be initiated due to the lengthy recovery for her injury. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 29 October 2018, applicant waived legal counsel. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 13 November 2018 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 7 August 2018 / 17 weeks / IADT b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 17 years / HS Graduate / 115 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 8 months, 5 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 15 March 2018 to 6 August 2018 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant received several counseling statements regarding her pending separation action. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages); and a DD Form 214. 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 5-17 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. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of the characterization of service from uncharacterized to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The record of evidence shows that a recommendation for separation in accordance with AR 635-200, Chapter 5-17 was sent to unit commander, due to bilateral knee pain / injury. He concurred with the recommendation that separation action be initiated due to the lengthy recovery for her injury. 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. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when her separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status (ELS). The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, she was injured while training to become a Soldier. The evidence of record revealed the applicant was discharged by reason of due to bilateral knee pain / injury and the lengthy recovery time. The applicant further contends, her service was honorable. 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 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 8 May 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 AR20190001597 1