PFC Snuffy, I am writing this counseling to inform you that, based on current and past psychiatric and/or mental health issues you have experienced, our commander has deemed it necessary to initiate separation procedures under the provisions outlined in chapter 5-17 (Other Physical/Mental conditions). This is an honorable discharge, and as long as behavior that might be considered to be a detriment to our Unit is not demonstrated by you, it will remain so.
It is important to note that although our Commander has decided to take this action, you are still a valued member of our Armed Forces. As a soldier you are still required to conduct yourself in a manner that reflects the good order and discipline outlined in the articles of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and Army Regulations. Failure to do so will be swiftly met with additional legal actions that may change the character of your discharge from Honorable to General or possibly Other than Honorable. At this point you, and you alone, based solely on your actions, will determine the nature of your discharge.
You are being counseled in accordance with AR 635-200, paragraph 1-16, for your conduct as set forth in Part II above. Any further misconduct, inappropriate actions, or deficiencies in your performance may result in punitive action under the UCMJ and/or initiation of separation UP AR 635-200. Separation action may result in your service being characterized as Honorable, General, or Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (UOTH). An Honorable Discharge entitles you to receive all discharge benefits. A General Discharge may result in substantial prejudice in civilian life and loss of certain benefits, such as civil service retirement credit and educational assistance. An UOTH Discharge could result in substantial prejudice in civilian life, and may result in the loss of most or all benefits as a veteran under both Federal and State laws. Some of the benefits you would not be eligible for with an UOTH discharge are payment for accrued leave, health benefits, civil service preference, reemployment rights, unemployment compensation and naturalization benefits. An involuntary separation might result in recoupment of unearned enlistment bonuses, a loss of G.I. Bill or VEAP educational benefits, and no separation pay. It is very difficult to upgrade a less than honorable discharge.
PVT __________________, you are being recommended for discharge under Chapter 5-11, AR 635-200. This recommendation has been made by CPT___________, for having a Behavioral health issue, which existed prior to service. This action is in the best interest of you and the U.S. Army. This condition meets the criteria for administrative separation under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 5-11. You are being flagged for initiation of separation.
In addition to being counseled on the points above, you received counseling on the following: (1) That negative behavior may result in punishment under Article 15, UCMJ, court-martial, or adverse action such as a bar to reenlistment, suspension of favorable personnel actions (promotion, retention, school), or other appropriate administrative sanctions; (2) That if you should develop a pattern of misconduct, separation under the provisions of AR 635-200 may be initiated; (3) That if separated prior to ETS, you could receive either an honorable, general, or other than honorable discharge for your current term of service, or your term of service would be uncharacterized if you have served less than 180 days on active duty; (4) The basis for each characterization of service and the discharge certificates received for each and that your character of service would become part of a permanent record and may be provided to any federal agency if you were to apply for either federal employment or a security clearance; (5) The possible effects that each type of discharge would have on reenlistment, civilian employment, veteran benefits, and related matters; (6) That a general discharge would cause loss of civil service retirement credit; (7) That an other than honorable discharge could result in you being reduced to the lowest enlisted rank, loss of payment of accrued leave, and loss of all benefits administered by the Veterans Administration and other federal and state agencies; (8) That separation prior to ETS may preclude you from enlisting in any component of the Armed Forces; (9) That separation prior to ETS may cause you to lose your entitlement to education benefits and money paid into the Army College Fund; (10) That separation prior to ETS may cause you to repay any unearned bonus received for enlistment or reenlistment; (11) That it would be unlikely that any attempt to have the characterization of service upgraded would be successful; (12) That you are encouraged to make every reasonable effort to ensure your performance and conduct meet military standards; (13) That you would be given a reasonable opportunity to bring your substandard performance and conduct to acceptable military standards.
