Applicant Name: ????? Application Receipt Date: 2012/03/08 Prior Review: Prior Review Date: NA I. Applicant Request: Upgrade Reason Change RE Code Change Issues: The applicant states, in effect, that her discharge should be changed because her DD Form 214 states that she failed to train. She adds that this is wrong because the only thing she failed at was her APFT and even then, it was only her situps. Her captain at the time continuously pushed for a PT test, even though she was going to the doctor’s office all the time for her back. As to the remainder of her responsibilities, she thinks that she performed quite well considering that she received an award certificate after she had been hurt and a commander’s coin. 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: 041221 Discharge Received: Date: 050120 Chapter: 13 AR: 635-200 Reason: Unsatisfactory Performance RE: SPD: JHJ Unit/Location: A Co, 304th Signal Battalion, Korea Time Lost: None Article 15s (Charges/Dates/Punishment): 040730, violated a general regulation by wrongfully consuming alcohol while under the age of 20 (040605), reduced to E-2; forfeiture of $312 (suspended); 14-day extra duty and restriction, (CG) Courts-Martial (Charges/Dates/Punishment): None Counseling Records Available: Yes No IV. Soldier’s Overall Record Age at current enlistment: 18 Current ENL Date: 030529 Current ENL Term: 4 Years ????? Current ENL Service: 01 Yrs, 07 Mos, 22 Days ????? Total Service: 01 Yrs, 07 Mos, 22 Days ????? Previous Discharges: None Highest Grade: E-3 Performance Ratings Available: Yes No MOS: 25F (Network Switch Systems Operator) GT: 110 EDU: HS Grad Overseas: Korea Combat: None Decorations/Awards: NDSM; GWOTSM; ASR V. Post-Discharge Activity City, State: ????? Post Service Accomplishments: The applicant's record indicates she had enlisted into the U.S. Army National Guard on 17 April 2005, but was discharged honorably and transferred to the USAR Control Group (Reinforcement) on 21 April 2006. VI. Facts, Circumstances, and Legal Basis for Separation a. Facts and Circumstances: The evidence of record shows that on 28 June 1999, 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 Army Physical Fitness Test on (040712), (040723), and (040915), with an honorable discharge. She was advised of her rights. On 21 December 2004, the applicant consulted with a legal counsel, was advised of the impact of the discharge action, and submitted a statement in her own behalf. The unit commander subsequently recommended separation from the Army and waiver of further rehabilitative efforts. On 22 December 2004, 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 requirements and procedures for administrative discharge of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13-2e of this regulation, states in pertinent part, that separation proceedings will be initiated for Soldiers without medical limitations that have two consecutive failures of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The reason for discharge will be shown as unsatisfactory performance. Service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure of the Army Physical Fitness Test will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions. c. Response to Issues, Recommendation and Rationale: After a careful review of all the applicant’s military records and the issue and documents submitted with the application, the analyst found no mitigating factors which would merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge. There was a full consideration of all faithful and honorable service, as well as, the incidents of unsatisfactory performance. The analyst determined that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because the quality of her service was not consistent with the Army’s standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. By the unsatisfactory performance, the applicant diminished the quality of service below that meriting a fully honorable characterization of service. The analyst acknowledges the applicant’s in-service accomplishments and considered the quality of her service during the initial portion of the enlistment under review. However, this service was determined not to be sufficiently mitigating to warrant an upgrade to the characterization of discharge as shown by the repeated incidents of APFT failures or by the multiple negative counseling statements, and the documented action under Article 15 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. The analyst also noted the applicant’s medical issues, as stated in her application. However, in review of the applicant’s entire service record, the analyst found that this medical condition did not overcome the reason for discharge and characterization of service granted. Therefore, the analyst determined the reason for discharge and the characterization of service were both proper and equitable and recommends to the Board to deny relief. VII. Summary of Army Discharge Review Board Hearing Type of Hearing: Date: 3 August 2012 Location: Washington, D.C. Did the Applicant Testify? Yes No Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Exhibits Submitted: DD Form 293, dated 15 February 2012; Picture depicting Commander's Coin; Certificate of Achievement, dated 1 September 2004; DD Form 214 for service under current review. VIII. Board Discussion, Determination, and Recommendation After carefully examining the applicant’s record of service during the period of enlistment under review and nothwithstanding 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 provide 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 Board Vote: Character - Change 4 No change 1 Reason - Change 4 No change 1 (Board member names available upon request) X. Board Action Directed Issue a new DD Form 214 Change Characterization to: Change Reason to: Physical Standards Other: Change Separation Code to "JFT" RE Code: Grade Restoration: No Yes Grade: NA XI. Certification Signature Approval Authority: ARCHIE L. DAVIS III Colonel, U.S. Army President, Army Discharge Review Board BONITA E. TROTMAN Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army Secretary Recorder 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 AR20120004930 ______________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 pages