IN THE CASE OF: Mr. BOARD DATE: 9 January 2015 CASE NUMBER: AR20140001596 ___________________________________________________________________________ Board Determination and Directed Action 1. After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review and notwithstanding the examiner’s Discussion and Recommendation which follows, the Board determined the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. 2. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, contains the erroneous reentry code of 4. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-3, as required by Army Regulations. Presiding Officer I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Department of the Army Discharge Review Board in this case. THE APPLICANT’S REQUEST AND STATEMENT: 1. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation to include the reentry eligibility (RE) code. 2. The applicant states, in effect, he recently decided to reenlist in the military and his RE code is 3; he was never told why it was a 3. He desires to reenlist and continue serving his country. DISCHARGE UNDER REVIEW INFORMATION: a. Application Receipt Date: 22 January 2014 b. Discharge received: Honorable c. Date of Discharge: 7 February 2003 d. Reason/Authority/SPD/RE: Completion of Required Active Service, Chapter 4, AR 635-200, MBK, RE-3 e. Unit of assignment: A Co, 2-7th Infantry, Fort Stewart, GA f. Current Enlistment Date/Term: 8 February 2001, 2 years g. Current Enlistment Service: 2 years h. Total Service: 2 years i. Time Lost: None j. Previous Discharges: None k. Highest Grade Achieved: E-3 l. Military Occupational Specialty: 11B10, Infantryman m. GT Score: NIF n. Education: College Graduate o. Overseas Service: Korea p. Combat Service: None q. Decorations/Awards: ARCOM, AAM-2, AGCM, NDSM, ASR, OSR r. Administrative Separation Board: No s. Performance Ratings: No t. Counseling Statements: NIF u. Prior Board Review: No SUMMARY OF SERVICE: The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 8 February 2001, for a period of 2 years. He was 22 years old at the time of entry and a college graduate. He was trained in and awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B10, Infantryman. His record does not indicate he served in combat, he earned several awards including an ARCOM, AAM-2 and an AGCM; and he achieved the rank of PFC/E-3. He was serving at Fort Stewart, GA when his discharge was initiated. SEPARATION FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES 1. The evidence of record shows on 17 December 2002, Department of Army, Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and Fort Stewart, Fort Stewart, GA 31314-5000, issued Orders 351-0004, releasing the applicant from active duty and assigning him to US Army Reserve Control Group (REINF) AR-PERSCOM effective 7 February 2003. On 18 December 2002, orders 352-0005, amended his release from active duty and assigned him to the 215th Field Artillery Detachment with a reporting date within thirty days of his release from active duty. 2. The record contains a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was authenticated by the applicant’s signature. His DD Form 214 indicates he was released from active duty under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 by reason of completion of required active service, with an honorable discharge. The DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of MBK (i.e., completion of required active service), with an RE Code of 3. 3. The applicant’s record does not contain any evidence of unauthorized absences, time lost or any actions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). EVIDENCE OBTAINED FROM THE APPLICANT'S RECORD 1. A DD Form 214 dated, 7 February 2003. 2. Enlistment/Reenlistment document dated, 8 February 2001. 3. Orders Number 351-0004, dated 17 December 2002. 4. Amended Orders 352-0005, dated 18 December 2002 EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT The applicant provided an online application (six pages), orders number 351-0004, amended orders number 352-0005, and a DD Form 214. POST-SERVICE ACTIVITY: The record shows the applicant continued to serve in the Reserve to complete his service obligation which ended on 25 January 2009. He was discharged from the Army Reserve on 27 January 2009 with an honorable discharge. He reenlisted in the Army National Guard on 26 February 2014 for six years as a SGT/E-5. REGULATORY AUTHORITY 1. Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 4 of that regulation provides, in pertinent part, for the separation of individuals upon completion of required service (i.e., expiration term of service). 2. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 will be honorable unless the Soldier is in entry-level status. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s request for a change to the narrative reason for his separation to include the RE code was carefully considered. However, after examining the applicant’s available military records, the issues and documents submitted with the application, there are insufficient mitigating factors to merit a change to the narrative reason for separation to include the RE code. 2. The evidence of record shows the applicant was released from active duty under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 by reason of completion of required active service, with an honorable discharge. The DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of MBK (i.e., completion of required active service), with an RE Code of 3. 3. The applicant requested a change to his narrative reason for separation to include the RE code. 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 "MBK" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 4, for completion of required active service. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. 4. Further, 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 was no basis 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. 5. The applicant contends he recently decided to reenlist in the military and his RE code is 3; he was never told why it was a 3. He desires to reenlist and continue serving his country. The record shows the applicant enlisted in the Army National on 26 February 2014 for six years. The applicant had to obtain a waiver to reenlist and in the process was there is the assumption he was advised as why he needed a waiver to reenlist. 6. Therefore, the narrative reason for discharge to include the RE code being both proper and equitable, the analyst recommends the board deny relief. Board Determination and Directed Action 1. After carefully examining the applicant's record of service during the period of enlistment under review and notwithstanding the examiner’s Discussion and Recommendation, the Board determined the narrative reason for discharge was both proper and equitable and voted to deny relief. 2. However, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the Board found that the applicant's DD Form 214, block 27, contains the erroneous reentry code of 4. In view of the error, the Board directed an administrative correction to block 27 to read RE-3, as required by Army Regulations. SUMMARY OF ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD HEARING: Type of Hearing: Records Review Date: 9 January 2015 Location: Washington, DC Did the Applicant Testify? NA Counsel: None Witnesses/Observers: NA Board Vote: Character Change: 0 No Change: 5 Reason Change: 0 No Change: 5 (Board member names available upon request) Board Action Directed: Issue a new DD Form 214: Yes Change Characterization to: No Change Change Reason to: No Change Change Authority for Separation: NA Change RE Code to: 1 Grade Restoration to: NA Other: NA Legend: AMHRR - Army Military Human Resource Record FG - Field Grade IADT – Initial Active Duty Training RE - Reentry AWOL - Absent Without Leave GD - General Discharge NA - Not applicable SCM- Summary Court Martial BCD - Bad Conduct Discharge HS - High School NIF - Not in File SPCM - Special Court Martial CG - Company Grade Article 15 HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge CID - Criminal investigation Department MP – Military Police OMPF - Official Military Personnel File UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions ADRB Case Report and Directive (cont) AR20140001596 Page 5 of 5 pages ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD (ADRB) CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE 1