Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2010/11/15 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states "The only reason for my discharge was a failure to pass the phase 5 army physical fitness test. I had trouble adapting so quickly to physical training and received very little due to the Missouri winter season. On my final two attempts at the test I passed both the push up and sit up portions and was showing great improvement. On the 2 mile run however I failed by exactly 1 second (15:55 run time) and 4 seconds (15:58 run time) respectively. That single second stopped me from serving my country, a desire I still have. An upgrade to an honorable discharge would make it easier for me to re-enlist and prove myself to the military." 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: 090324 Discharge Received: Date: 090416 Chapter: 13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Unsatisfactory Performance RE: SPD: JHJ Unit/Location: Company A, 795th Military Police Battalion, Fort Leonard Wood, MO 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: 080917 Current ENL Term: 5 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 0 Yrs, 7 Mos, 0 Days ????? Total Service: 0 Yrs, 7 Mos, 0 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-1 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: None GT: 121 EDU: GED Cert Overseas: None Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM, ASR 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 24 March 2009, the unit commander notified the applicant of initiation of separation action under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200, by reason of unsatisfactory performance for failing to pass the Phase V Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on three occasions with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. He was advised of his rights. The applicant's election of rights documentation is no part of the available record and the analyst presumed government regularity in the discharge process. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. The separation authority waived further rehabilitation and directed that the applicant be discharged with a general, under honorable conditions discharge. The applicant was not transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group. 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. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records for the period of enlistment under review, and the issue he submitted, the analyst found several mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge to fully honorable. The analyst noted 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. In view of the foregoing, the analyst recommends to the board that the characterization of service is inequitable and that the applicnt's characterization of service be upgraded to fully honorable. Furthermore, regulations currently in effect list the reason for the applicant’s discharge as physical standards. Accordingly, the analyst recommends to the Board that the narrative reason for separation on the DD Form 214 be changed to "Physical Standards" with the corresponding separation code of "JFT." VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 13 July 2011 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: Online application dated 11 November 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 characterization of service was too harsh and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade of the characterization of service to fully honorable. Furthermore, regulations currently in effect list the reason for the applicant’s discharge as physical standards. Accordingly, the Board voted to change the narrative reason for separation on the DD Form 214 to "Physical Standards" with the corresponding separation code of "JFT." IX. Board Decision XI. Certification Signature Board Vote: Approval Authority: Character - Change 5 No change 0 Reason - Change 5 No change 0 (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: "Physical Standards" under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200, with the corresponding separation code of "JFT." Other: None RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: None 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 AR20100026905 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages