1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 18 September 2015 b. Date Received: 9 October 2015 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, his discharge was unjust because it was brought about due to the drawdown, which he believes he was specifically targeted for because he had a hard time passing his 2-mile run. The applicant completed 13 years with no bad conduct. The applicant contends that he had medical, physical (i.e. back, knee, and foot) issues that hindered his run. In addition to failing his 2-mile run, the applicant alleges that he was also seen as the troublemaker. The applicant believes he could have passed his PT test had he received the proper treatment and the growth on his foot removed. Instead, the applicant was forced out. The applicant contends that he deserves a correction to his record not just for himself, but for his family who deserves it. The applicant states that because of his discharge, he is unable to shop at the commissary, denied an ID card, and stripped of having any medical care from TriCare, and PX privileges. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 February 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the reason for the applicant's discharge was improper. Accordingly, the Board voted to change the narrative reason for separation on the DD Form 214 to Physical Standards, the authority to AR 635-200, Chapter 13-2e, with corresponding separation code of JFT. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Unsatisfactory Performance / AR 635- 200, Chapter 13 / JHJ / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 8 February 2011 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 7 January 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant failed to meet the minimum standards on the record Army Physical Fitness Test (30 April 2010, 2 September 2010, and 27 October 2010). (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 12 January 2011 (5) Administrative Separation Board: Waived, 12 January 2011 (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 21 January 2011 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 29 May 2007 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 27 / HS Graduate / 118 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 88M10, Motor Transport Operator / 10 years, 8 months, 3 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 16 June 1998 to 31 January 2001 / GD (Break-in-Service) ARNG, 22 September 2003 to 21 September 2004 / HD USARCG, 22 September 2004 to 31 January 2006 / NA RA, 1 February 2006 to 28 May 2007 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Iraq (16 August 2006 to 21 September 2007 and 21 September 2009 to 10 January 2010) f. Awards and Decorations: ARCOM-2, NDSM, ICM-3CS, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR-3 g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: APFT Score Cards. Several counseling states relating to the applicant's inability to meet minimum standards on the APFT. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application and DD Form 149. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13 contains the policy and outlines the procedures for separating individuals for unsatisfactory performance, and provides, in pertinent part, that commanders will separate a member under this Chapter when, in the commander's judgment, the member will not develop sufficiently to participate satisfactorily in further training and/or become a satisfactory Soldier. Army policy states that a general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate; however, an honorable discharge may be granted in meritorious cases. 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 "JHJ" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 13, and Unsatisfactory Performance. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JHJ" 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. Evidence in the record shows the applicant was discharged because he failed to meet the minimum standards on the record Army Physical Fitness Test on 30 April 2010, 2 September 2010, and 27 October 2010. The applicant was discharged under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200, by reason of unsatisfactory performance, with a characterization of service of honorable. The narrative reason for discharge specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this Chapter is "Unsatisfactory Performance," and the separation code is "JHJ." Army Regulation 635-5, Separation Documents, governs preparation of the DD Form 214 and dictates that entry of the narrative reason for separation, entered in block 28 and separation code, entered in block 26 of the form, will be exactly as listed in tables 2-2 or 2-3 of AR 635-5-1, Separation Program Designator (SPD) Codes. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. It should be noted that the applicant was discharged for the sole reason of failing to meet the minimum standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT), and the service record does not contain any other derogatory information. Based on the regulations currently in effect the reason for the discharge is physical standards with a corresponding separation code of JFT. The applicant seeks relief contending, his discharge was unjust because it was based on medical issues he was dealing with related to his foot and the fact that the Army was downsizing. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, there is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence to support the contention that his discharge was unjust and that it was related to the fact that he was targeted by the First Sergeant. In fact, evidence shows the applicant was discharged as a result of his inability to meet the minimum standard of the APFT. Furthermore, the service record does not support the applicant's contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted to corroborate the discharge was the result of any medical condition related to his back, knee, and/or feet. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service. 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 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 10 February 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the reason for the applicant's discharge was improper. Accordingly, the Board voted to change the narrative reason for separation on the DD Form 214 to Physical Standards, the authority to AR 63-200, Chapter 13-2e, with corresponding separation code of JFT. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: Physical Standards d. Change Authority to: AR 635-200, Chapter 13-2e e. Change SPD / RE Code to: Change SPD to JFT / No Change to RE code 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 AR20150016046 1