Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/08/02 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that his discharge was inequitable because it was based on his physical standards. He was not a problem Soldier and was always on time and took care of his responsibilities. Recently, he decided that he wanted to continue his education by using the GI Bill, but his application was rejected because of the type of discharge that he received. If there is any way possible that the board can grant him permission to use his GI Bill, he would greatly appreciate it. 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: 070103 Discharge Received: Date: 070329 Chapter: 13-2e AR: 635-200 Reason: Physical Standards RE: SPD: JFT Unit/Location: HQ & HQ Company, US Army Garrison, Heidelbeg, Germany APO AE Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 070227, made an official statement to a CPT, which was false on (070130), and with intent to defraud, wrongfully obtain from the US Military dining facilities services of a value less than $500.00, by signing for free meals on or about (050316-070130), reduction to Private (E-1), forfeiture of $650.00 pay per month for 2 months, extra duty and restriction for 45 days (FG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 21 Current ENL Date: 040728 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 2 Yrs, 8 Mos, 2 Days ????? Total Service: 2 Yrs, 8 Mos, 2 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-2 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 56M10 Chaplain Assistant GT: 89 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Germany (050204-070329) Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: None submitted by the applicant. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 28 December 2006, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 13-2e, AR 635-200, by reason of unsatisfactory performance for failing to meet the minimum standards for the Army Physical Fitness Test on at least ten occasions, eight of which were diagnostic examinations and two were for the record. The unit commander recommended separation with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. On 29 December 2006, the applicant consulted with legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement in his own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The intermediate commander reviewed the proposed action and recommended approval with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The separation authority waived further rehabilitative efforts and directed that the applicant be discharged with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The applicant was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (IRR) to complete his statutory service obligation. The record contains an approved Bar to Reenlistment dated 15 May 2006. b. Legal Basis for Separation: Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the requirements and procedures for administrative discharge of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13-2e of this regulation, states in pertinent part, that separation proceedings will be initiated for Soldiers without medical limitations who have two consecutive failures of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The reason for discharge will be shown as physical standards. Service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure of the Army Physical Fitness Test will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records and the issue submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. There was a full consideration of all faithful and honorable service as well as the incidents of unsatisfactory performance. The analyst determined that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of his service was not consistent with the Army’s standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By the unsatisfactory performance, the applicant diminished the quality of his service below that meriting a fully honorable characterization of service. The analyst noted the applicant's issue that his discharge was inequitable because it was based on his physical standards. The analyst considered the applicant’s quality of service during the initial portion of the enlistment under review. However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently meritorious to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge. The applicant further, contends that he wants to continue his education by using the GI Bil. Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. Notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the analyst found that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 26 separation code as “LFT.” In view of this error, the analyst recommends to the Board an administrative change to block 26, separation code to “LFT” as approved by the separation authority. Except for the foregoing modification the analyst determined that the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 25 April 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293 dated 27 July 2010. 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 discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. Furthermore, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 26 as separation code “JFT.” In view of this error, the Board voted to administratively change block 26, separation code to “LFT,” as approved by the separation authority. Except for the foregoing modification, the Board determined that the discharge was both proper and equitable and voted not to change it. IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 0 No change 5 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: The Board voted to administratively change the DD Form 214, block 26, separation code to “LFT,” as approved by the separation authority. RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: No Change Legend: AWOL Absent Without Leave GCM General Court Martial NA Not applicable SCM Summary Court Martial BCD Bad Conduct Discharge GD General Discharge NIF Not in the file SPCM Special Court Martial CG Company Grade Article 15 HD Honorable Discharge OAD Ordered to Active Duty UNC Uncharacterized Discharge DD Dishonorable Discharge HS High School Graduate OMPF Official Military Personnel File UOTH Under Other Than Honorable FG Field Grade Article 15 IADT Initial Active Duty Training RE Reentry Code Conditions ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD - CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE Case Number AR20100020642 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages