Applicant Name: ??? Application Receipt Date: 2008/11/19 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: See DD Form 293 and attached documents submitted by the applicant. II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: NIF Discharge Received: Date: 950831 Chapter: 5-13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Personality Disorder RE: SPD: JFX Unit/Location: A Co, 122nd Signal Bn, APO AP 96224 Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): NIF Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 19 Current ENL Date: 940624 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 02 Mos, 07Days ????? Total Service: 01 Yrs, 02 Mos, 07Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 31D10 Mobile Subscriber Equipment Transmission System Operator GT: 112 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Fort Worth, TX Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states that she operates the family owned seamless gutter business, and attends St. Leo University studying to earn her bachelors of arts degree in Criminal Justice. She further states she is a volunteer in the Texas State Guard, which is a branch of the Texas Military Forces. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 24 July 1995, the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a personality disorder. The unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of personality disorder, for being diagnosed by a medical professional with a personality disorder, and it was determined that rehabilitation efforts would most likely be unsuccessful. The unit commander recommended an honorable discharge. She was advised of her rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service (recommendation memorandum is unsigned). The separation approving authority's documentation is not contained in the available record and the analyst presumed Government regularity in the discharge process. The DD Form 214 indicates that she was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200, by reason of personality disorder, with an honorable discharge. Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JFX (i.e., personality disorder), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "3." b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-13 provides that a Soldier may be separated for personality disorder, not amounting to disability under Army Regulation 635-40, that interferes with assignment to or performance of duty. The regulation requires that the condition is a deeply ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration that interferes with the Soldier's ability to perform duty. The regulation also directs that commanders will not take action prescribed in this chapter in lieu of disciplinary action; requires that the diagnosis concludes the disorder is so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired; and states that separation for personality disorder is not appropriate when separation is warranted under chapter 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, or 15; Army Regulation 604-10 or Army Regulation 635-40. Army policy requires the award of a fully honorable discharge in such case. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and documents she submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit a change to the applicant's narrative reason for discharge. The analyst noted that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with a personality disorder. The unit commander appropriately initiated discharge proceedings under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200,by reason of personality disorder, with a characterization of service of fully honorable. The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue, however, the narrative reason for separation is governed by specific directives. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, Paragraph 5-13, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Personality Disorder" and the separation code is "JFX." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be entered exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. Further, at the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “3.” If the applicant desires to reenlist, she should contact the local recruiter to determine her eligibility to reenlist. Those individuals can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes. Finally, the Board does not grant relief solely for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge to include the reentry eligibility (RE) code was both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 3 September 2009 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 0 No change 0 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20080018625 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages