ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  13 December 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170008524


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or 
Discharge from Active Duty) to show he was medically discharged due to injuries he 
suffered in boot camp.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge from the Armed Forces of 
the United States).

FACTS:

1.  The applicant states he would like block 28 (Narrative Reason for Separation) of his 
DD Form 214 changed to read “medical discharge.”  He believes he was processed out 
of the Army due to injuries suffered in boot camp.

2.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

a.	He enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 May 2016.

b.	A DA Form 4856 (Developmental Counseling Form), dated 7 March 2017, shows
the applicant failed a diagnostic Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and counseled.

c.	A DA Form 4856, dated 21 March 2017 shows the applicant failed another APFT
and was counseled. 

   c.  On 24 April 2017, the applicant’s immediate commander notified the applicant of 
his intent to separate him under the provisions of Chapter 13, Army Regulation 635-200 
(Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), paragraph 13 for unsatisfactory 
performance.  He also acknowledged receipt of the notification of separation action on 
the same day.

   d.  On 24 April 2017, after declining consultation with legal counsel, he 
acknowledged: 

*	the rights available to him and the effect of waiving said rights
*	he may encounter substantial prejudice in civilian life if a general discharge 
under other than honorable conditions is issued to him
*	he may apply to the ADRB or the ABCMR for upgrading
*	he may be ineligible to apply for enlistment in the Army for 2 years after 
discharge

   e.  On 24 April 2017, the immediate commander initiated separation action against 
the applicant for unsatisfactory performance.  The commander indicated that this action 
is based upon the fact that the service member has failed to achieve the minimum 
APFT standards required for graduation.  The Soldier had been unable to meet 
minimum standards despite being given multiple opportunities and remedial training.

   f.  On 24 April 2017, consistent with the chain of command recommendations, the 
separation authority approved the discharge recommendation for immediate separation 
under the provisions of Chapter 13, Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – 
Enlisted Personnel), for unsatisfactory performance.  He would be issued an honorable 
discharge.
   
   g.  Orders 118-1301, dated 28 April 2017 show he was issued orders, which 
reassigned him to the U. S. Army transitioning point for discharge.

   h.  On 2 May 2017, he was honorably discharged from active duty due to 
unsatisfactory performance.  His DD Form 214 shows he completed 1 year and 1 day of 
active service with no lost time.  It also shows he was awarded or authorized the 
National Defense Service Medal.

3.  The applicant’s record does not show, nor does the applicant provide any medical 
documentation to show he was injured in boot camp.

4.  Army Regulation 635-200, action will be taken to separate a Soldier for 
unsatisfactory performance when it is determined that he or she is unqualified for further 
military service because of unsatisfactory performance.  

5.  Army Regulation 635-5, the DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier's most recent 
period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current 
active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active 
duty, retirement, or discharge.  The information entered thereon reflects the conditions 
as they existed at the time of separation.  Block 28 (Narrative Reason) is based on 
regulatory or other authority and can checked against the cross reference in Army 
Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes).

6.  Army Regulation 635-5-1, enlisted Soldiers receive separation codes in accordance 
with the guidelines published for separations per Army Regulation 635-200 (Active Duty 
Enlisted Administrative Separations).  The narrative reason for the separation will be 
entered in block 28 of the DD Form 214 exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of the 
regulation.  Table 2-3 lists for SPD code JHJ, the narrative reason as, “unsatisfactory 
performance” in accordance with Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 13.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

The Board carefully considered the applicants request, supporting documents, and the 
evidence in the records.  The Board also considered the applicant's statement, his 
record of service, and the reason for his separation.  After reviewing the application and 
all supporting documents, the Board found the relief was not warranted.  The Board 
determined that there was insufficient evidence to warrant relief in this case.  The Board 
notes that the applicant acknowledged his discharge for failure to pass two APFT’s and 
made no mention of any injury during boot camp, while being processed for separation.  


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:XX	:XXX	:XXX	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or 
injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.


	  
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the 
Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.



REFERENCES:

1.  Army Regulation 635-200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), in effect at 
the time, sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel.  Chapter 
13 of the regulation states a member may be separated when it is determined that he or 
she is unqualified for further military service because of unsatisfactory performance. 
The service of members separated because of unsatisfactory performance will be 
characterized as honorable or under honorable conditions as warranted by their military 
record.  

2.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states the DD Form 214 is a 
summary of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a 
brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at 
the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge.  The information entered 
thereon reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation.

3.  Army Regulation 635-5-1 (Separation Program Designation Codes) provides 
separation program designator (SPD) codes are three-character alphabetic 
combinations that identify reasons for, and types of, separation from active duty. The 
narrative reason for the separation will be entered in block 28 of the DD Form 214 
exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of the regulation.  Table 2-3 lists for SPD code JHJ, 
the narrative reason as, “unsatisfactory performance” in accordance with AR 635-200, 
chapter 13.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170008524

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