1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 17 January 2016 b. Date Received: 9 March 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change and an reentry (RE) code change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, while he was attending basic training, he was having trouble with his lower right leg swelling after every run. During that time, he was able to push through the injury and graduate basic training. While in Advanced Individual Training (AIT), he continued having pain in his legs; pain that caused him difficulty in completing runs and the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). He states, he went to sick call where he was told by the doctor that shin splints were the cause of his leg pain. He was placed on a walking profile a couple of times and was told to continue running, which he did. During the APFT, he started experiencing severe leg pain again, which caused him to fail the APFT on multiple occasions. He returned to sick call, experiencing the same leg pain again. After failing his third APFT, due to the issue with his lower right leg, he was discharged from the Army, under Chapter 13, for Unsatisfactory Performance without being given the opportunity to recycle or have his leg examined by a Naval Orthopedic doctor. He states, he requests relief based on the fact that he believes that Navy doctors misdiagnosed his injury. After his discharge from the Army, he went to see a private physician for his leg problem, where it was determined that he may have been suffering from Compartment Syndrome, or a possible Bakers Cyst, instead of the shin splints which the Navy diagnosed him with. After four to six months of physical therapy, he has not had any problems with his leg swelling after running. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 2 May 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Unsatisfactory Performance / AR 635- 200 / Chapter 13 / JHJ / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 25 April 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 3 April 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: He failed two consecutive Army Physical Fitness Tests within a 90 day period. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 3 April 2014, the applicant waived his rights to consult with A JAG officer. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 4 April 2014 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 8 July 2013 / 3 years, 30 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / HS Graduate / 125 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 9 months, 25 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard, reflects the applicant failed three record APFTs between 10 and 17 March 2013. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 21 October 2013, for failure to pass a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Developmental Counseling Form, dated 28 October 2013, for living area not in compliance with SOP; failed room inspection; dirty room. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 4 November 2013, for failure to pass a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Developmental Counseling Form, dated 7 November 2013, for living area not in compliance with SOP; failed room inspection; dirty room. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 15 November 2013, for living area not in compliance with SOP; failed room inspection; dirty room. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 13 December 2013, for living area not in compliance with SOP; failed room inspection; dirty room. Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard, reflects the applicant failed three diagnostic APFTs between 21 October and 16 December 2013. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 16 December 2013, for failure to pass a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Developmental Counseling Form, dated 12 January 2014, for failure to obey a lawful order. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 13 January 2014, for failure to pass a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Developmental Counseling Form, dated 14 January 2014, for sleeping in class. Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard, reflects the applicant failed a record APFTs in January 2014 and a diagnostic APFT 21 January 2014. Chronological Record of Medical Care, dated 27 January 2014, reflects the applicant was had been evaluated because of his planned separation from active duty service. He was found to be physically qualified to separate or retire, which meant that no medical condition had been noted that disqualified him from the performance of his duties or warranted disability evaluation system processing. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 20 February 2014, reflects the applicant was cleared for administrative actions deemed appropriate by the command. The applicant could understand the difference between right and wrong and could participate in the proceedings. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application; DD Form 214; and, two medical documents. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): 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, an honorable discharge may be granted in meritorious cases. Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes) provides the specific authorities (regulatory or directive), reasons for separating Soldiers from active duty, and the SPD codes to be entered on the DD Form 214. It identifies the SPD code of "JHJ" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 13, unsatisfactory performance. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JHJ" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change and a reentry (RE) code change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms 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. It brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant's service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance, such that he should have been retained on Active Duty. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because his medical condition was misdiagnosed while in the Army. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200 with a honorable. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Unsatisfactory Performance," and the separation code is "JHJ." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. Further, the record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with his overall service record. The applicant contends that medical issues contributed to his discharge from the Army. However, the service record does not support the applicant's contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted to corroborate the discharge was the result of any medical condition. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service with either medical limitation or medication. The applicant desires to rejoin the Military Service. However, Soldiers being processed for separation are assigned reentry codes based on their service records or the reason for discharge. Based on Army Regulation 635-5-1 and the SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table, the applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 3. There are no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. The discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority, and the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 2 May 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214 / Issue a New Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD / RE Code to: No Change Authenticating Official: Legend: AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NCO - Noncommissioned Officer SCM - Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial BH - Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge NOS - Not Otherwise Specified SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OAD - Ordered to Active Duty TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP - Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS - Entry Level Status MST - Military Sexual Trauma PTSD - Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 NA - Not applicable RE - Reentry VA - Veterans Affairs ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20160007004 1