1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 6 July 2016 b. Date Received: 14 July 2014 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, she was told at the time of her discharge, she would have benefits as she had served her full term. She states, recently she applied for a VA loan and was denied due to the narrative reason of her discharge. She was pregnant, but her decision was based on her pregnancy and her husband's ongoing court-martial, which could have ended with her husband in jail. Her decision to leave the Army was because of what could come on her family. She did not know at the time that her narrative reason would need to specify hardship. This was explained to the applicant that because of her pregnancy, she could get out of the Army and support her husband during her trial and still qualify for all benefits. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 22 September 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: Pregnancy or Childbirth / AR 635-200 / Chapter 8 / KDF / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 10 October 2007 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 13 September 2007 (2) Basis for Separation: Pursuant to the applicant's Personnel Action request for separation. The applicant's request was based on her pregnancy and her request to separate at the earliest possible time. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: NA (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 18 September 2007 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 1 August 2006 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 18 / HS Graduate / 106 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 25U1P, Signal Support System Specialist / 1 year, 2 months, 10 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Personnel Action request as described in previous paragraph 3c. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; and, copies of her service records. 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 8 provides for the voluntary separation of enlisted woman because of pregnancy. Service of enlisted women separated under the provisions of Chapter 8 will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions unless the Soldier is in an entry level status. A general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally inappropriate for individuals separated under the provisions of Chapter 8, unless properly notified of the specific factors in her service record that warrant such characterization. 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 "KDF" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 8, Pregnancy or Childbirth. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with her application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant voluntarily requested separation from the Army due to pregnancy. The record indicates the separation authority approved her request and directed that the applicant be discharged with a characterization of service of honorable. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because in addition to her pregnancy she was suffering from hardship due to her husband's court-martial. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 8, AR 635-200 with a honorable discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Pregnancy or Childbirth," and the separation code is "KDF." 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 that she was having family issues that affected her decision to request a voluntary separation. However, she had many legitimate avenues through which to obtain assistance or relief and there is no evidence in the record that she ever sought such assistance before requesting a voluntary separation based on pregnancy, which led to the separation action under review. The applicant's statements alone do not overcome the presumption of government regularity and the application contains no documentation or further evidence in support of this request for a narrative reason change. Further, 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 her overall service record. The applicant contends that a narrative reason change of her discharge would allow benefits through the use of the VA. However, 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 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 22 September 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 AR20160012555 1