1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 27 April 2016 b. Date Received: 2 June 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, the circumstances surrounding his discharge were blown completely out of proportion, which led to the narrative reason for his discharge. The reason he spoke to Mr. X was that after a brief meeting with the chaplain, he had said that he wanted to refuse to train. At the time, he had family problems back home and his emotions changed, but he was never a harm to himself or others and his emotions stayed intact. His wife was sick and his grandfather was having breathing problems, which created a culture shock. He is the type of man that helps his family, which caused him to have more bad thoughts than good. The applicant sought advice from the chaplain and told him that he wanted to go home. A few days later he was forced to speak with the unit psychologist, where the applicant explained his same desire to go home. He told the psychologist that he wanted to refuse to train and go home because he was not ready yet. The psychologist told the applicant that it may not be the right time for him and that he should do what he believes is right. The applicant informed his drill sergeants of his situation and then the applicant became anxious because he was not being updated on his separation and because he had never been forced to see a doctor. As a result of his anxiety, he had walked in his sleep, which caused his unit to place a watch over him. He had been pulled from training because he had been sick and sent for evaluations. He believes his discharge is unjustified because he was not told the reason why he was being discharged. He believes the reason for his discharge makes no sense since it indicates he had a medical condition that existed prior to his service. He states his discharge packet, reflects that they tried to discharge him for other reasons, such as a separation under paragraph 5-17, which indicated that a medical issue evolved during training. Along with the constant discharge changes, some of the paperwork in his packet had a different name, rank, and other different explanations. The applicant states that he did what his drill sergeant told him to do in order to go home, even after he had calm conversations with the psychologist, the medical evaluations continued. He simply wanted to go home and he just wanted it to end and let the Army do its thing. The applicant believes that had the Army determined he had a severe medical or mental condition, he is sure he would have been treated with medication to get him back to normal. He states that he was normal the entire time, he became anxious over the long process and not depressed. His mood did change a bit, but not hysterically. He believes he should be- revaluated for reenlistment as he would be a strong asset in the National Guard. He states his discharge does not define his character, yet his discharge has limited his employment opportunities. Since his discharge, his health, as well as his wife's and grandfather's health have increased. He has become closer to his church. He states everything seems to lead him back to the military and he desires to serve again. He knows he can handle the military and his previous situation was a one-time deal as there is nothing in his past to prove otherwise. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 23 August 2017, 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: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 9 March 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) convened: 11 February 2015 (2) EPSBD Findings: The findings of the evaluating physicians indicate the applicant was medically unfit for appointment or enlistment in accordance with current medical fitness standards and in the opinion of the evaluating physicians the condition existed prior to service. The applicant was diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder, unspecified (with Sleep Walking) (Axis I). (3) Date Applicant Reviewed and Concurred with the Findings, and Requested Discharge without Delay: 4 March 2015 (4) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 5 March 2015 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 6 January 2015 / 20 weeks (IADT) b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / Some College / 106 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 4 months, 24 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR, 16 October 2014 - 9 March 2015 / UNC (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: EPSBD findings as described in previous paragraph 3c. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 26 January 2015, 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. The applicant was diagnosed with: Phase of Life Problems (Axis I). Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 30 January 2015, 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. The applicant was diagnosed with: Suicidal Ideation (Axis I). Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 10 February 2015, 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. The applicant was diagnosed with an Adjustment Disorder with Mixed Anxiety and Depressed Mood (Axis I). 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293, with all allied documents listed in block 8 of the application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically provides that Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the Soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 635-200 states that a Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty prior to the initiation of separation action. 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 "JFW" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5-11, Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFW" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. Secretary of Defense Memorandum for Secretaries of the Military Departments (Subject: Supplemental Guidance to Military Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Discharge Upgrade Requests by Veterans Claiming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, dated September 3, 2014), provided guidance to help ensure consistency across the military services in consideration of PTSD relevant to Service Members' discharges. "Liberal consideration will be given in petitions for changes in characterization of service to service treatment record entries which document one of more symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or related conditions. Special consideration will be given to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) determinations which document PTSD or PTSD-related conditions connected to military services. In cases where Service Records or any document from the period of service substantiated the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now recognized as PTSD or PTSD-related condition during the time of service, liberal consideration will be given to finding that PTSD existed at the time of service. Liberal consideration will also be given in cases where civilian providers confer diagnoses of PTSD or PTSD-related conditions, when case records contain narratives that support symptomatology at the time of service, or when any other evidence which may reasonably indicate that PTSD or a PTSD-related disorder existed at the time of discharge which might have mitigated the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions characterization of service. This guidance in not applicable to cases involving pre- existing conditions which are determined not to have been incurred or aggravated while in military service." 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The proceedings of the Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSB) revealed the applicant had a medical condition which was disqualifying for enlistment and existed prior to entry on active duty. These findings were approved by competent medical authority and the applicant agreed with the findings and proposed action for administrative separation from the Army. The applicant contends that he did everything in the method that he was told, but his command blew everything completely out of proportion. Additionally, had he had a severe medical or mental condition, he believes he would have been treated with medication, but the fact that he never received any medication reflects that he was normal. However, 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 the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because he was never told the reason for his discharge. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5-11, AR 635-200, with a under other than honorable conditions discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards," and the separation code is "JFW." 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, on 4 March 2015, the applicant agreed with the findings and proposed action for administrative separation from the Army and requested discharge without delay. 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 applicant contends that an upgrade of his discharge will allow him to obtain better employment. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. The third party statements provided with the application speak highly of the applicant's performance. They all recognize his good conduct after leaving the Army; however, the persons providing the character reference statements were not in a position to fully understand or appreciate the expectations of the applicant's chain of command. As such, none of these statements provide any evidence sufficiently compelling to overcome the presumption of government regularity 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 23 August 2017, 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 new Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change f. Restoration to Grade: 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 AR20160010750 1