APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Correction of appropriate military records to show a reentry eligibility (RE) code which would allow reenlistment into an active National Guard or Reserve unit.  In effect, this constitutes a request for removal or waiver of those disqualifications which preclude reenlistment.

APPLICANT STATES:  That during his out-processing briefings, a 101st Airborne Division retention non-commissioned officer told him he could join the active Reserve after two years.  He joined the Tennessee National Guard until his 2-year waiting period was over.  Later he was told that his reentry code was a “bad one” and he would never be able to join any active duty program.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant’s military records show:

He enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 January 1983.  He served as an 11B (Infantryman) and was promoted to Staff Sergeant on 1 April 1993.  His last reenlistment was on 29 October 1991 for 4 years.  He had had continuous service until his discharge.  

The applicant has no record of disciplinary actions on file.

At some point, the applicant received a Department of the Army (DA) Imposed Bar to Reenlistment under the Qualitative Management Program (QMP).  The QMP documentation is not on file, but on 30 March 1995, the applicant was counseled that his appeal of the QMP was disapproved.  On that date, he acknowledged receipt of a memorandum of notification that he would be released from active duty on 30 June 1995.

Army Regulation 601-280, chapter 10, sets forth policy and prescribes procedures for denying reenlistment under the QMP.  This program is based on the premise that reenlistment is a privilege for those whose performance, conduct, attitude, and potential for advancement meet Army standards.  It is designed to (1) enhance the quality of the career enlisted force, (2) selectively retain the best qualified soldiers to 30 years of active duty, (3) deny reenlistment to nonprogressive and nonproductive soldiers, and (4) encourage soldiers to maintain their eligibility for further service.  The QMP consists of two major subprograms, the qualitative retention subprogram and the qualitative screening subprogram.  Under the qualitative screening subprogram, records for grades E-5 through E-9 are regularly screened by the DA promotion selection boards.  The appropriate selection boards evaluate past performances and estimate the potential of each soldier to determine if continued service is warranted.  Soldiers whose continued service is not warranted receive a QMP bar to reenlistment.

On 30 June 1995, the applicant was discharged, in pay grade E-6, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, paragraph 16-8, which directed the early release of soldiers with a QMP bar to reenlistment when budgetary or authorization limitations require a reduction in enlisted strength.  He was authorized separation pay.  His characterization of service was honorable.  His reentry code was “4,” a non-waiverable disqualification to reenlistment.  He had completed 12 years,           5 months and 11 days of creditable active service and had no lost time.

DISCUSSION:   Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, it is concluded:

1.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 is not in error.  The applicant’s administrative separation was accomplished in compliance with applicable regulations with no indication of procedural errors which would tend to jeopardize his rights.

2.  The narrative reason and the reentry code are correct for the reason for which he separated.

3.  Had the applicant remained in service until 28 October 1995, his normal expiration term of service, he still would have received a reentry code of “4” because of his QMP bar to reenlistment.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT 

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

			     		         Loren G. Harrell	
	 	                                         Director