Applicant Name:  ????

Application Receipt Date: 2009/05/12	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: See DD Form 293 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: 021021   Chapter: 5-17      AR: 635-200
Reason: Physical Condition, Not a Disability	   RE:     SPD: JFV   Unit/Location: Co C, 787th MP BN, Ft Leonard Wood, MO 

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:  19
Current ENL Date: 020807    Current ENL Term: 5 Years  ?????
Current ENL Service: 	00 Yrs, 02Mos, 15Days ?????
Total Service:  		00 Yrs, 02Mos, 15Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	None
Highest Grade: E1		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: NIF   EDU: HS Grad   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  Westhersfield, CT
Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant states that she is currently enrolled in college pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Theology and intend on enlisting into the chaplaincy program.

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       The specific facts and circumstances leading to the applicant's discharge from the Army are not contained in the available records.  However, the record does contain a properly constituted DD Form 214, (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant's signature.  Her DD Form 214 indicates that she was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, for physical condition, not a disability, with service uncharacterized.  Furthermore, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JFV (i.e., physical condition, not a disability, with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of 3.  
       On 18 October 2002, Orders 291-0357, DA, HQ, US Army Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Leonard Wood, MO discharged the applicant from the Regular Army, effective date: 21 October 2002.
        

       b.  Legal Basis for Separation:  
       Army Regulation 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 under Army Regulation 635-40, which interferes with assignment to or performance of duty.  The regulation requires that the condition interferes with the Soldiers’ ability to perform duty, and requires that the diagnosis be so severe that the Soldier’s ability to function in the military environment is significantly impaired.  Army Regulation 635-200 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.  A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-17 unless properly notified of the specific factors in his/her service that warrant such characterization.

       c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
       After a careful review of the applicant’s military records, and the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst recommends that the applicant’s request for an upgrade of her characterization of service be denied.  
       The applicant’s record contains a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature.  This document identifies the reason and characterization of the discharge and government regularity is presumed in the discharge process.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of physical condition, not a disability, with an uncharacterized separation of service and a reentry eligibility (RE) code of "3."  
       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.  Absence evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that the applicant’s separation was initiated while she was still in entry-level status and the applicant’s separation was accomplished within 72 hours following approval by the separation authority.  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 her service did not warrant an honorable discharge.  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.  
       Furthermore, the analyst noted the applicant's issue and determined that she was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200.  The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "physical condition, not a disability", and the separation code is "JFV."  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 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 if appropriate.  
       Additionally, the analyst acknowledges the applicant's successful transition to civilian life and noted the mental health brief evaluation prepared by Inter-Community Mental Health Group outlined in the documents with her application.  However, in review of the applicant’s available service record, the analyst found that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted.
       Therefore, the analyst recommends to the Board that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service are both proper and equitable.

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 5 March 2010         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 AR20090009323
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