What is a 5-17. What was the basis of the discharge?
Mike
From AR 635-300...
5–17. Other designated physical or mental conditions
a. Commanders specified in paragraph 1–19 may approve separation under this paragraph on the basis of other
physical or mental conditions not amounting to disability (AR 635–40) and excluding conditions appropriate for
separation processing under paragraph 5–11 or 5–13 that potentially interfere with assignment to or performance of
duty. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to—
(1) Chronic airsickness.
(2) Chronic seasickness.
(3) Enuresis.
(4) Sleepwalking.
(5) Dyslexia.
(6) Severe nightmares.
(7) Claustrophobia.
(8) Transsexualism/gender transformation in accordance with AR 40-501 paragraph 3-35.
AR 635–200 • 6 June 2005/RAR 17 December 2009 57
(9) Other disorders manifesting disturbances of perception, thinking, emotional control or behavior sufficiently
severe that the Soldier’s ability to effectively perform military duties is significantly impaired. Soldiers with 24 months
or more of active duty service may be separated under this paragraph based on a diagnosis of personality disorder. For
Soldiers who have been deployed to an area designated as an imminent danger pay area, the diagnosis of personality
disorder must be corroborated by the MTF Chief of Behavioral Health (or an equivalent official). The corroborated
diagnosis will be forwarded for final review and confirmation by the Director, Proponency of Behavioral Health, Office
of the Surgeon General (DASG-HSZ). Medical review of the personality disorder diagnosis will consider whether
PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and/or other comorbid mental illness may be significant contributing factors to
the diagnosis. If PTSD, TBI, and/or other comorbid mental illness are significant contributing factors to a mental health
diagnosis, the Soldier will not be processed for separation under this paragraph, but will be evaluated under the
physical disability system in accordance with AR 635-40.
(a) The condition of the personality disorder is a deeply ingrained maladaptive pattern of behavior of long duration
that interferes with the Soldier’s ability to perform duty. (exceptions: combat exhaustion and other acute situational
maladjustments.) The diagnosis of personality disorder must have been established by a psychiatrist or doctoral-level
clinical psychologist with necessary and appropriate professional credentials who is privileged to conduct mental health
evaluation for the DOD components. It is described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM–IV) of Mental
Disorders, 4th edition.
(b) In the case of Soldiers who are, or have been, deployed to an area designated as imminent danger pay area, the
diagnosis of a mental condition not amounting to disability will be reviewed by the installation MTF Chief of
Behavioral Health, or the equivalent, and confirmed by the Director, Proponency of Behavioral Health, Office of The
Surgeon General (DASG-HSZ).
b. When a commander determines that a Soldier has a physical or mental condition that potentially interferes with
assignment to or performance of duty, the commander will refer the Soldier for a medical examination and/or mental
status evaluation in accordance with AR 40–501. Command-directed mental status evaluations will comply with
paragraph 1–32e. A recommendation for separation must be supported by documentation confirming the existence of
the physical or mental condition.
c. Separation processing may not be initiated under this paragraph until the Soldier has been counseled formally
concerning deficiencies and has been afforded ample opportunity to overcome those deficiencies as reflected in
appropriate counseling or personnel records. (See para 1–16.)
d. Nothing in this paragraph precludes separation of a Soldier having a condition as described in a, above, under any
other provision of this regulation.
e. Prior to involuntary separation under this paragraph, the notification procedure in chapter 2, section I; or the
administrative board procedure in chapter 2, section II, will be utilized.
f. For characterization or description of service, see paragraph 5–1.
g. Except for Soldiers being separated under paragraph 5–17a(9) for personality disorder who have deployed to an
area designated as an imminent danger pay area, commanders specified in paragraph 1–19 are authorized to order
separation under this paragraph. See paragraph 1–11 for additional instructions for ARNGUS and USAR Soldiers. The
criteria in chapter 1, section VII, will govern whether the Soldier will be released from AD or ADT with transfer to the
IRR, or discharged. The separation authority for Soldiers separated under paragraph 5–17a(9) for a personality disorder
who have been deployed to an area designated as imminent danger pay area is the GCMCA.