1. Applicant’s Name: a. Application Date: 12 May 2015 b. Date Received: 18 May 2015 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general, under honorable conditions discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he would like an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of increasing his opportunities for employment and education benefits. The applicant contends most employers find the wording of "general, under honorable conditions" to be misleading. His current employer was not going to hire him until he explained that it was not a dishonorable discharge. He would like to get a position with a large aerospace company and he feels that an upgrade of his discharge would help. The applicant states that he may not have been the best Soldier, but he knew of many more who were far worse than he was who received honorable discharges. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 29 July 2016, 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: Physical Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 13-2e / JFT /RE-3 / General, Under Honorable Conditions b. Date of Discharge: 19 December 2003 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 2 December 2003 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason: repeated failure to pass the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT); and, failed to go to his appointed place of duty (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 4 December 2003 (5) Administrative Separation Board: N/A (6) Separation Decision Date/Characterization: 10 December 2003 / General, Under Honorable Conditions 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date/Period of Enlistment: 17 September 2002 / NIF b. Age at Enlistment/Education/GT Score: 18 / GED / 109 c. Highest Grade Achieved/MOS/Total Service: E-3 / None / 2 years, 1 month, and 11 days d. Prior Service/Characterizations: USAR, 9 November 2001 – 16 September 2002 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service/Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: N/A h. Disciplinary Action(s)/Evidentiary Record: NIF i. Lost Time: None j. Diagnosed PTSD/TBI/Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application, dated 12 May 2015, and DD Form 214. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the requirements and procedures for administrative discharge of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13-2e 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 physical standards. The service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure to meet physical standards will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general, under honorable conditions discharge to honorable. The applicant’s record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant’s discharge was appropriate because of unsatisfactory performance which diminished the quality of his service. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant’s service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. The applicant would like an upgrade of his discharge for the purpose of increasing his opportunities for employment and education benefits. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. Also, eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. 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 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 29 July 2016, 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: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change SPD/RE Code to: No Change e. Restore (Restoration of) Grade to: NA AUTHENTICATING OFFICIAL: COL, US ARMY Presiding Officer Army Discharge Review Board Legend: 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 BH – Behavioral Health HD - Honorable Discharge OAD - Ordered to Active Duty SPD - Separation Program Designator CG - Company Grade Article 15 IADT - Initial Active Duty Training OMPF - Official Military Personnel File TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury CID - Criminal Investigation Division MP – Military Police – PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder UNC - Uncharacterized Discharge ELS – Entry Level Status MST – Military Sexual Trauma RE - Reentry UOTHC - Under Other Than Honorable Conditions FG - Field Grade Article 15 ARMY DISCHARGE REVIEW BOARD CASE REPORT AND DIRECTIVE AR20150009334 3