Is a Chapter 5-17 a guaranteed thing?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 11:40:36 -0400

So I hate to be that guy asking this question, but asking due to: I was going for the MEB process for injuries I have and was told by my chain of command that it was unlikely I would get my MEB process but my company commander (MAJ) and the company's provided physician (also MAJ) called my PSG telling him to ask me if I wanted to do the chapter process instead (they know since my injury that I've wanted to get out due to my injury not having the chance of me being 100% again) so I could go home, pursue education and a career. Is this Chapter (guessing chapter 5-17 by conditions on which I would be chaptered) a guaranteed thing since both company cdr and company pcm called telling them to ask me or who's in charge of making that decision? Asking so I can prepare for my future civ side, thanks for any and all answers.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2022 12:03 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:03:51 -0400

If you have physical injuries back, shoulders, ankles etc I don’t believe you will receive a 5-17, so in essence it is not a guarantee. In most cases the MEB is the first step of the medical discharge process. A service member with a medical condition that makes them unfit for duty is referred to the Medical Evaluation Board. The Board reviews their conditions and makes recommendations to the Physical Evaluation Board on which qualify as unfitting.

Definition of a Chapter 5-17
Chapter 5 of the Army Regulations, called Separation for the Convenience of the Government, sets out many administrative discharges, including Chapter 5-17: Other Designated Physical or Mental Conditions. This is comparable to Chapter 5-13: Personality Disorder, but Chapter 5-17 covers conditions that don't meet the medical criteria for "disorder." Examples of conditions that fall under Chapter 5-17 include: chronic airsickness or seasickness, dyslexia, sleepwalking and claustrophobia. The key factor is that the condition causes disturbances, thinking or behavior severe enough to diminish a soldier's ability to carry out his military duties and tasks. Before triggering the Chapter 5-17 separation, the commander must make sure the soldier in question has been sufficiently counseled and offered a chance to be rehabilitated. In some cases, rehabilitation involves changing to a new section or platoon within the same unit or to a new unit entirely. The soldier is advised to consult with an attorney at the beginning of the process and if he opposes the Chapter 5-17 separation, he can put forward a case for consideration before a final decision is made. However, only soldiers with more than six years of active and/or reserve service are entitled to challenge the decision at an Administrative Separation Board.

Soldiers discharged on the grounds of Chapter 5-17 receive an honorable discharge unless there are specific elements of their service record that warrant a general discharge. Soldiers with up to 180 days of active duty service may get an uncharacterized description of service. Soldiers with at least six years of active duty service who have completed their initial period of enlistment may be entitled to separation pay following a Chapter 5-17 separation.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2022 12:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:47:42 -0400

Your PCP is the one that recommends/initiates the MEB process. If your profile has a P3 or P4 in any of the PULHES, then a MEB should be auto initiated. The issue, that I'm guessing, is that they want to go the Chapter route because it would be faster than a MEB. Is the unit provided physician your dedicated PCP or do you have another one?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2022 12:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 12:54:37 -0400

MEBs are initiated by your PCM, 5-17 is an administrative separation. In the first one you are compensated for your injuries, in the second one you are kicked out with nothing. If you're a PFC you won't even earn your GI Bill.

If you are legitimately injured then do not ask your command to chapter you. I can't begin to tell you just how epically stupid that would be and how many hundreds of thousands of dollars you would cost yourself over the rest of your lifetime

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 6 at 2022 1:05 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 13:05:09 -0400

Who ultimately decides on separation or MEB?

Response by Cpl Benjamin Long made Apr 6 at 2022 3:00 PM

Cpl Benjamin Long — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 15:00:10 -0400

Nothing is ever guaranteed... Rulings can be appealed and the war to make the government do something you want can cost a small fortune

Response by LTC Ray Buenteo made Apr 6 at 2022 10:08 PM

LTC Ray Buenteo — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:08:21 -0400

You need to do the MEB if you are so physically jacked up you must get out of the Army. If you just want out of the army do the chapter but then you are on your own.

Response by MAJ Brian McCluskie made Apr 6 at 2022 10:38 PM

MAJ Brian McCluskie — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 22:38:13 -0400

I was originally discharged on a 5-17 (Early Separation to Further Education). There are quite a few requirements to receive that Chapter, so it is definitely not automatic thing. It only separates you up to 90 days early from your ETS and you must use whatever leave you have accumulated. Then there are the educational requirements. You must be in receipt of an acceptance letter to a college or technical school of higher education. If you just go to your HR service center or look up the AR covering the Chapter you will see the requirements. Best of luck.