Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2009/06/10 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states "Block 28 on DD214 states "PHYSICAL STANDARD" which is because of my failure to pass an Army Physical Fitness Test while in AIT. I feel as if my failure to obtain a satisfactory score does not out weigh how I succeeded in everything else I did. I was sharpshooter on the M16, Expert with the grenade. I completed all assignments and passed all tests first time while training to be an Army Medic. I passed the National Registry first time which half of the class did not. I was one of only a handful that had no counseling statements in my platoon. I even was given a Certificate of Achievement by my Battalion Commander. The COA was for winning first place in a 5k run at Lackland AFB. I plan on going back into the Army and it will absolutely be easier to go back into the Army with a Honorable Discharge." II. Were Proper Discharge and Separation Authority procedures followed? Tender Offer: NA See Attachments: Legal Medical Minority Opinion Exhibits III. Discharge Under Review Unit CDR Recommended Discharge: Date: 081006 Discharge Received: Date: 081031 Chapter: 13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Physical Standards RE: SPD: JFT Unit/Location: A Co, 232nd Medical Bn, Fort Sam Houston, TX Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 20 Current ENL Date: 080320 Current ENL Term: 6 Years with a medical waiver (080220) Current ENL Service: 00 Yrs, 07Mos, 11Days ????? Total Service: 00 Yrs, 07Mos, 11Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-2 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 120 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Nopne Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: Neptune Beach, FL Post Service Accomplishments: None Listed VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 6 October 2008, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200, by reason of physical standards for failure to meet the minimum standards on three consecutive record Army Physical Fitness Tests, with an honorable discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board contingent upon him receiving a characterization of service no less favorable than honorable, and submitted a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the service and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed discharge action and recommended approval of the separation action with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. On 28 October 2008, the separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13 contains the policy and outlines the procedures for separating individuals for unsatisfactory performance, and provides, in pertinent part, that commanders will separate a member under this chapter when, in the commander's judgment, the member will not develop sufficiently to participate satisfactorily in further training and/or become a satisfactory Soldier. Army policy states that a general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate, however, a fully honorable discharge may be granted in meritorious cases. If in an entry level status the characterization of service will be uncharacterized. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records during the period of enlistment under review, the issues and document submitted with the application, the analyst found several mitigating factors that would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge to fully honorable. The analyst noted that the applicant was discharged for the sole reason of a failure to meet the minimum standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The analyst also noted the lack of any other derogatory information in the record. Therefore, the analyst recommends that the applicant’s characterization of service be upgraded to fully honorable. However, the analyst found that the reason for discharge was fully supported by the record and therefore, remains both proper and equitable. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 2 April 2010 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: NA Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: NA VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and considering the analyst’s recommendation and rationale, the Board determined that the characterization of service is too harsh and as a result it is inequitable. The Board noted that the applicant was discharged for the sole reason of a failure to meet the minimum standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The Board also noted the lack of any other derogatory information in the record. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable. However, the Board determined that the reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 5 No change 0 Reason - Change 0 No change 5 (Board member names available upon request) EDGAR J. YANGER Colonel, U.S. Army X. Board Action Directed President, Army Discharge Review Board Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: No Change Other: NA RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20090009935 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages