1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 28 April 2016 b. Date Received: 28 April 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, "JGA" is not why he was separated because he is not capable of pregnancy. He did not have any conduct issues; only injury related issues. He sent his congressman a letter stating he had not committed any offenses which resulted in bad conduct discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 2 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: Entry Level Performance and Conduct / AR 635-200 / Chapter 11 / JGA / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 29 April 2010 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 21 April 2010 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons for his discharge; he was not able to meet the minimum standards prescribed for successful completion of training because of lack of aptitude, ability, motivation, and self-discipline. He missed more than 200 hours of training. He has not demonstrated character and behavior characteristics not compatible with satisfactory continued service and failed to respond to counseling. (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: 21 April 2010; the applicant declined the opportunity to consult with appointed counsel for consultation. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 21 April 2010 / 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 5 January 2010 / 4 years, 16 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 years / HS Graduate / 114 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 3 months, 25 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant received numerous negative counseling statements for various acts of misconduct; including missing training, failure of the APFT and being recommended for separation. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149 (two pages); letter, Chief, Congressional Liaison Inquiries / with associated congressional documents (four pages); request pertaining to military records (nine pages); and Developmental Counseling Forms (nine pages). 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 3-9 contains guidance on entry level separations. It states a separation will be described as entry-level with service uncharacterized if, at the time separation action is initiated, the Soldier has less than 180 days of continuous active duty service. Chapter 11 of AR 635-200 provides for the separation of personnel due to unsatisfactory performance, conduct, or both, while in an entry level status (ELS). An uncharacterized service description is normally granted to Soldiers separating under this chapter. A general discharge (GD) under honorable conditions discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions and an honorable discharge (HD) is rarely ever granted. An HD may be given only in cases which are clearly warranted by unusual circumstances involving outstanding personal conduct and/or performance of duty. 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 "JGA" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 11, entry level performance and conduct. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JGA" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The evidence of record confirms the applicant's separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. A Soldier is in entry-level status (ELS) for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry-level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct, a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation to include the reentry eligibility (RE) code and "JGA" is not why he was separated because he is not capable of pregnancy. 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 "JGA" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 11, entry level performance and conduct. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. Further, '"JDG" is the appropriate SPD code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5-8, parenthood. Also, "KDF" is the appropriate SPD code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 8, pregnancy. The applicant seeks relief contending, he did not have any conduct issues; only injury related issues. The record of evidence shows that he was unable to meet the minimum standards prescribed for successful completion of training. He lacked aptitude, ability, motivation, and self-discipline. He missed more than 200 hours of training; he did not demonstrate character and behavior characteristics compatible with satisfactory continued service and failed to respond to counseling. The applicant further contends, he sent his congressman a letter stating he had not committed any offenses which resulted in bad conduct discharge. Per regulatory guidance, a bad conduct discharge is not authorized under ELS conditions. AR 635-200, provides except in cases of serious misconduct, a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while the Soldier is in entry level status. The uncharacterized description of service accurately reflects the applicant's overall record of service. An uncharacterized discharge is neither positive nor negative and it is not meant to be a negative reflection of a Soldier's military service. It merely means that the Soldier has not been in the Army long enough for his or her character of service to be rated as honorable or otherwise. 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 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 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 f. Restore (Restoration of) Grade 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 AR20160013222 4