1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 12 April 2016 b. Date Received: 19 April 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests that his Separation Code (SPD) be changed and his DD Form 214 be changed to reflect that he is authorized separation pay and the funds be drafted to his account. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he has a voluntary SPD code on his DD Form 214. He had over six years of active duty service under Title 32, with the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force from August 2009 to January 2016. He is requesting that his SPD code be changed from a voluntary SPD code to an involuntary SPD code. An involuntary SPD code will entitle him to separation pay. Additionally, he requests that his DD Form 214 be changed to reflect that the funds be drafted to his account. He provides documentation stating that his separation from the Title 32 unit orders were miscoded and that his separation pay cannot be paid out to him. The applicant was promoted to his current grade of E-7; and then, he was subsequently let go from the program. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 21 June 2017, 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: Completion of Required Active Service / AR 635-200 / Chapter 4 / MBK / NA / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 31 January 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NA (2) Basis for Separation: NIF (3) Recommended Characterization: NIF (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NA 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 15 March 2013 / 11 months, 29 days (ADSW) / Note: Orders, dated 7 March 2013, ordered the applicant to Full Time National Guard Duty, under Title 32, for a period of six months. The orders were amended on two subsequent occasions ending his active duty on 31 January 2016. The period of enlistment reflects the last period of service as amended on Orders published on 30 September 2015. b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 31 / HS Graduate / 102 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-7 / 91X40, Maintenance Supervisor / 15 years, 6 months, 20 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USMCR, 17 July 200 - 5 July 2004 / NIF USMC AD, 6 July 2004 - 22 April 2005 / HD USMCR, 23 April 2005 - 16 July 2006 / NIF ARNG, 17 July - 2006 - 19 August 2009 / NIF AGR, 20 August 2009 - 19 February 2012 / NIF AD, 20 February 2012 - 14 March 2013 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Iraq (6 July 2004 - 22 April 2005) Afghanistan (NIF) f. Awards and Decorations: ACM-CS, AFRMMD ARCOM-2, AAM-3, CAR, AGCM, ARCAM-3, NDSM, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, NCOPDR-2, ASR, OSR-2, USN SSDR, NATOMDL, CAB g. Performance Ratings: 25 March 2013 - 8 December 2013, Among The Best 9 December 2013 - 8 December 2014, Fully Capable 31 December 2014 - 30 December 2015, Among The Best h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant provided a memorandum, dated 3 November 2015, wherein he requested approval for promotion to Sergeant First Class (SFC) in the 148th E Company. The applicant noted he understood "that if not approved and [he] accept[ed] the promotion, [he] may be separated from full-time employment with the GAARNG CDTF lAW regulations." The memorandum reflects that his request was denied; the reason cited: "FY16 Budget will not currently support any promotions". Orders 321-884, dated 17 November 2015, reflect the applicant was promoted to SFC, effective: 12 November 2015. Orders 323-800, 19 November 2015, reflect the applicant was released from the 78th Troop Command and transferred to E Company, 148TH BSB, effective: 2 December 2015. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293, with all allied documents listed in block 8 of the application. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): 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). 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. The service of Soldiers in entry-level status will be uncharacterized. A Soldier is in an entry- level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty at the time of the discharge or release from active duty. In the case of an ARNGUS or USAR Soldier on active duty (AD) or active duty training (ADT) who is to be discharged, the character of the period of service from which he/she is being discharged will be based solely on military behavior and performance of duty during the current period of service while actually performing AD or ADT. 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 Army National Guard of the United States (ARNGUS) or United States Army Reserve (USAR) Soldiers who are REFRAD on completion of required active service or period for which ordered to active duty; and, are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 4, completion of required active service. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a change of his Separation Code (SPD) and that his DD Form 214 be changed to reflect he is authorized separation pay and that the funds be drafted to his account. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant contends his SPD code should be changed to reflect a code that indicates he was involuntarily separated from active duty. However, the applicant provided his voluntary request for promotion to SFC, in a position within another unit. The applicant's request for promotion was denied citing lack of funds to support the promotion. The applicant acknowledged in his request, that if he accepted the promotion, he could be subject to release from active duty. The applicant's service record reflects he was promoted to SFC on 12 November 2015, and, transferred to his new unit on 2 December 2015. The applicant was initially ordered to active duty on 15 March 2013, for a period of six months. The orders were amended on two subsequent occasions ending his active duty on 31 January 2016. The applicant was released from active duty (REFRAD) shortly before the end of the period for which he was ordered to active duty. The service record does not reflect any other possible reason for his discharge; therefore, his separation is considered to be voluntary and the governing regulation does not authorize any other SPD code for ARNGUS Soldiers who are discharged at the completion of their required active service. 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. The applicant contends his DD Form 214 should be changed to reflect that he is authorized separation pay that the funds be drafted to his account. However, the applicant's requested change to the DD Form 214 does not fall within the purview of this Board. The applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR), using the enclosed DD Form 149 regarding this matter. A DD Form 149 may also be obtained from a Veterans' Service Organization. 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 21 June 2017, 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/Issue new Separation Order: No b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. SPD/RE Code Change to: No Change f. Restoration to Grade: 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 AR20160008042 4