Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2009/01/29	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: See DD Form 293 and supporting 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: 040419
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 040612   Chapter: 5-13       AR: 635-200
Reason: Personality Disorder	   RE:     SPD: JFX   Unit/Location: A Co, 208th Finance Bn, APO AE 

Time Lost: None

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

Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None

Counseling Records Available: Yes    No 

IV.  Soldier’s Overall Record
Age at current enlistment:  27
Current ENL Date: 021103    Current ENL Term: 2 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	1 Yrs, 07Mos, 09Days ?????
Total Service:  		10 Yrs, 10Mos, 17Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	RA 921009-961030/HD
                                       RA 961031-981210/HD
                                       RA 981211-021102/HD
Highest Grade: E5		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: 73C2HP/Finance SP   GT: 107   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: Germany, Alaska, SWA   Combat: Iraq (031104-040107)
Decorations/Awards: JSCM, ARCOM, AAMx2, AGCMx3, NDSMx2, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Irom, SC
Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant provided documents indicating that she has an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice and is currently working on a Bachelor's Degree in Paralegal Studies.

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The evidence of record shows that on 16 January 2004 the applicant was diagnosed by the Chief of Mental Health, 28th CSH/Ibn Sina Hospital with an adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct and a personality disorder not otherwise specified with dependent and borderline traits.  On 7 April 2004, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-13, by reason of personality disorder, diagnosed by a medically qualified psychiatrist as suffering from a long standing disorder of character and behavior, which is of such severity as to interfere with her being able to adequately serve in the U.S. Army.  It was also concluded that efforts to rehabilitate or develop her into a satisfactory member of the military would be unsuccessful or unlikely.  The unit commander recommended an honorable discharge.  She was advised of her rights.  The applicant consulted with legal counsel and 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.  The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with an honorable discharge.  The applicant requested an administrative separation board (not part of the record) and the separation authority refers to considerations from the administrative separation board's recommendation.  On 6 June 2004, the separation authority directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of fully honorable and transferred to the IRR.

       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 and the issue she submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit a change to the narrative reason for discharge on the applicant's DD Form 214.  The analyst noted that the applicant was diagnosed by competent medical authority with an adjustment disorder with mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct and personality disorder not otherwise specified with dependent and borderline features.  The unit commander properly 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 honorable.  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, the analyst noted the applicant's issue; however, the Army Discharge Review Board is not empowered to restore former service member's grade, rate or rank.  The Board may only change the characterization or reason for discharge.  If the applicant believes there is an error or injustice in her discharge, she then may make an application to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, utilizing a DD Form 149, which can be obtained at a local military installation or from veteran’s assistance offices.  At the time of discharge the applicant was appropriately assigned a reentry eligibility (RE) code of “3.”  If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact the local recruiter to determine 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.  The analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life outlined with the application and the many accomplishments while in the service.  However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that these accomplishments did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted.  In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the narrative reason for discharge 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: 28 October 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 discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief.  
        
IX.  Board Decision						
	XI.  Certification Signature
Board Vote:  							          Approval Authority:	
Character - Change 0    No change 5
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: NA
ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20090004599
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