Applicant Name:  ?????

Application Receipt Date: 2011/05/31	Prior Review:     Prior Review Date: NA     

I.  Applicant Request:  Upgrade     Reason Change     RE Code Change    

Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that his separation shows uncharacterized and it should have read an honorable discharge.

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: 090610
Discharge Received: 			   Date: 090619   Chapter: 5-17     AR: 635-200
Reason: Condition, Not a Disability	   RE:     SPD: JFV   Unit/Location: Fitness Training Company, 43rd Adjutant General Battalion, 3rd Chemical Brigade, Fort 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:  35
Current ENL Date: OADT/090113    Current ENL Term: ?? Years  14 weeks
Current ENL Service: 	0 Yrs, 5 Mos, 7 Days ?????
Total Service:  		0 Yrs, 6 Mos, 29 Days ?????
Previous Discharges: 	ARNG 081121-090112/NA
                                            (Continued Service)
Highest Grade: E-1		Performance Ratings Available: Yes    No 
MOS: None   GT: 95   EDU: GED Cert   Overseas: None   Combat: None
Decorations/Awards: None

V.  Post-Discharge Activity
City, State:  ?????
Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant.

VI.  Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation

       a.  Facts and Circumstances:
       On 10 June 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-17, AR 635-200, by reason of other designated physical or mental condition for being diagnosed  by competent medical authority with having persistent pain to both heels and his left knee which did not allow him to progress while he was in rehabilitation.  He will need 2-3 months to fully recover from his injuries and recommended the applicant’s discharge with an entry level uncharacterized separation of service.  He was advised of his rights.  
       
       On 10 June 2009, the applicant waived legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and did not submit a statement in his 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 uncharacterized discharge.  
       
       On 15 June 2009, the separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed the applicant’s release from the custody and control of the US Army with an uncharacterized separation of service. 
       
       On 18 June 2009, the DA, HQ US Army Maneuver Support Center, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, issued Orders 169-1302 releasing the applicant from active duty training and discharging him from the Reserve of the Army; and returned him to his Army National Guard unit, located in North Carolina where he was subsequently discharged.  

       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 the service that warrant such characterization.

       c.  Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale:  
       After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records, documents and the issue and documents he submitted, the analyst found no mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge.  
       
       The evidence of record shows the applicant while in training status was diagnosed by competent medical authority with having persistent pain to both heels and his left knee which did not allow him to progress while he was in rehabilitation.  He will need 2-3 months to fully recover from his injuries.  
       
       The applicant’s service was uncharacterized because he was in an entry-level status.  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 the separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status.  
       
       The analyst noted the applicant's issue that his discharge should have been characterized as honorable.  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 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 the analyst found no evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command throughout the separation process.  
       
       In view of the foregoing, the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the board to deny relief.  
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

VII.  Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing

Type of Hearing: 		Date: 9 December 2011         Location: Washington, DC

Did the Applicant Testify?  Yes     No  

Counsel: None

Witnesses/Observers: NA 

Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 149 dated 11 May 2011 in lieu of a DD Form 293.  

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: No Change										
RE Code: 
Grade Restoration:   No   Yes   Grade: No Change

Official:




BONITA E. TROTMAN
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Chief, Secretary Recorder









Legend:
AWOL    	Absent Without Leave		GCM   General Court Martial	NA   Not applicable			SCM	Summary Court Martial
BCD   	Bad Conduct Discharge	GD      General Discharge	NIF   Not in the file			SPCM	Special Court Martial
CG 	Company Grade Article 15	HD      Honorable Discharge	OAD   Ordered to Active Duty		UNC	Uncharacterized Discharge  
DD 	Dishonorable Discharge	HS       High School Graduate	OMPF   Official Military Personnel File	UOTH  	Under Other Than Honorable 
FG	Field Grade Article 15		IADT   Initial Active Duty Training	RE     Reentry Code				Conditions 

ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE

Case Number AR20110011692
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