MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:                              
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC9811488

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	M		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. 		Chairperson	
	Mr. 		Member	
	Mr. 		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, the correction of the reentry code on his DD Form 214.

APPLICANT STATES:  He makes no statement.

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

He enlisted in the Regular Army on 14 September 1983.

On 2 May 1995, the applicant received a Department of the Army (DA) imposed bar to reenlistment under the Qualitative Management Program (QMP) based upon three sub-par non-commissioned officer evaluation reports.  He appealed the bar.  Department of the Army disapproved his appeal and directed he be discharged no later that 28 February 1996 with a narrative reason of “Reduction in Force” and a reentry eligibility code of RE-4.

On 28 February 1996, the applicant was discharged, in pay grade E-5, 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 half involuntary separation pay.  His characterization of service was honorable.  His reentry code was “4.”  He had completed 12 years, 5 months and 17 days of creditable active service and had no lost time.

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.

Army Regulation 601-210 governs the eligibility criteria, policies and procedures for enlistment.  In pertinent part, it provides that RE-4 applies to persons separated from their last period of service with a non-waiverable disqualification. This includes anyone with a Department of the Army imposed bar to reenlistment in effect at the time of separation.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, 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.  Either of two narrative reasons could have applied in this case – Qualitative Retention Program or Reduction in Force.  Department of the Army directed that the narrative reason for separation be shown as Reduction in Force.  However, the applicant still had a DA imposed bar to reenlistment in effect.  The reentry eligibility code of RE-4 was and still is correct for that reason.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is 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