Application Receipt Date: 2006/11/09	

Prior Review    Prior Review Date: None

I.  Applicant Request
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?  
Yes    No        Tender Offer:        

See Attachments:  Legal     Medical     Minority Opinion     Exhibits 

III.  Original Character of Discharge
Unit CDR Recommended Discharge:    Date: 990219
Discharge Received:     Date: 990308   
Chapter: 5-11    AR: 635-200
Reason: Failure to meet procurement medical fitness standards
RE:     SPD: JFW
Unit/Location: A Company, 2-54 IN Bn, Fort Benning, GA 

Time Lost: None

Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Court-Martials (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier's Overall Record
DOB:  770319  
Current ENL Date: 990104    Current ENL Term: 15 weeks/IADT Years       
Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 02Mos, 05Days      
Total Service:  00 Yrs, 05Mos, 17Days      
Previous Discharges: ARNG 980922-990308/UNC
Highest Grade: E-2
Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 123   EDU: 1 YR COLL   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None
V.  Post-Discharge Activity
Home of Record: 
Current Address: 
Post Service Accomplishments: Volunteers in his civilian community, states that he has over 30 certifications from FEMA.  Currently in process of earning his military emergency management specialist badge from the State Guard Association.  (See documents enclosed).

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

      a.  Facts and Circumstances:
      The evidence of record shows that on 19 February 1999, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of involuntary separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5-11, AR 635-200, by reason of failure to meet procurement medical fitness standards with an uncharacterized discharge.  An Entrance Physical Standards Board convened on 12 February 1999 and determined that the applicant's medical condition dated back to prior to entry into the Army.  The applicant reviewed and concurred with the findings of the Entrance Physical Standard Board (EPSBD) proceedings, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, did not submit a statement in his own behalf and requested to be discharged from the Army.  The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service.  The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed separation action and recommended approval with an uncharacterized discharge.  On 20 February 1999, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with an uncharacterized discharge.

      b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
      Army Regulation 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 Army Regulation 40-501, chapter 3.  The characterization of service for soldiers separated under this provision of regulation will normally be honorable, but will be uncharacterized if the soldier is in an entry-level status.  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. 

      c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
After a careful review of all the applicant's military records, and the issue he submitted, to include his supporting documents, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  The proceedings of the Enlistment Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) revealed that the applicant had a medical condition that was disqualifying for enlistment and that it existed prior to entry on active duty.  Subsequently, these findings were approved by competent medical authority.  The applicant agreed with these findings and the proposed action for administrative separation from the Army.  Furthermore, the applicant was appropriately assigned a Separation Program Designator (SPD) code of JFW which indicates:  Failed Medical/Physical Procurement Standards.  The analyst was satisfied that all requirements of law and regulation were met and that the rights of the applicant were fully protected through the separation process.  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 his separation is initiated while the soldier is in entry level status.  Further, for soldiers in entry-level status, a fully honorable discharge may be granted only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty.  The analyst determined that no such unusual circumstances were present in the applicant's record and his service did not warrant an honorable discharge.  The analyst recommends to the Board that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service remain both proper and equitable

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing 

Type of Hearing: 			Date: 19 December 2007              
Location: Washington, D.C.

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: NA

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: NA




VIII.  Board Decision
The discharge was:			Proper	 	Improper	
				                 	Equitable	 	Inequitable	

The characterization of service was:   Proper	 	Improper	
				                 	Equitable	 	Inequitable	

The narrative reasons were: 	       	Equitable	 	Inequitable	

DRB voting record:  		      Change 0    No change 5   - Character
		 			      Change 0    No change 5   - Reason
					      (Board member names available upon request)

IX.  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 discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. 

Case report reviewed and verified by: Alejandro Champin, Examiner									        
X.  Board Action Directed
No Change 
Issue a new DD Form 214  
Change Characterization to:    
Change Reason to: NA
Other: NA
RE Code:  
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes  Grade: NA

XI.  Certification Signature and Date
Approval Authority: 

MARK E. COLLINS
Colonel, U.S. Army
President, Army Discharge Review Board

Official: 


CHRISTINE U. MARTINSON			DATE: 19 December 2007
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20060015829

Applicant Name:  Mr.          
______________________________________________________________________


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