1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 8 January 2016 b. Date Received: 1 August 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests narrative reason change and a reentry code change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, with respect to all the positions he has held, his age is becoming an issue for reentry purposes. His service record will reflect he has been a part of the military since he was 19. He states, his education has always been a priority for him and he requests the Board consider his current educational standing as he has nearly completed his Bachelor's Degree. He states the issue he is having is the reentry code on his discharge is affecting his entry into the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Course. He states he received pay at the time of his discharge and he has been taking classes diligently. He desires the change to his narrative reason so that he may achieve his goal of applying the life skills of military professionalism he has attained through experience and his professional and educational development. He believes there is an option for discharge that involves voluntary discharge to attend school. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 5 January 2018, 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 / JBK / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 30 July 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: Orders 152-0500, dated 31 May 2012, discharged the applicant from the Regular Army component, effective 30 July 2012. (2) Basis for Separation: Completion of enlisted obligation. (3) Recommended Characterization: NA (4) Legal Consultation Date: NA (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NA 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 31 July 2008 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 25 / 3 Years College / 113 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 92M10, Mortuary Affairs Specialist / 10 years, 9 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USN, 1 November 2001 - 31 October 2006 / NIF Break in Service RA, 5 December 2007 - 30 July 2008 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Afghanistan (22 August 2011 - 28 February 2012), Iraq (1 May 2009 - 16 November 2009) f. Awards and Decorations: ARCOM, JSAM, AAM-2, AGCM, NGCM, NDSM, AFEM, ACM-2CS, GWOTSM, GWOTEM, OSR, USN SDR-2, NATOMDL g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Enlisted Record Brief, dated 31 May 2012, reflects the applicant had an Immediate Reenlistment Prohibition Code of "9G," which indicates the applicant was prohibited from reenlistment due to his Grade (Soldier is within 16 months of ETS and cannot reenlist for minimum term/exceeds RCP for Current Grade). The applicant's DD Form 214, reflects in block 18 (Remarks) "Member is entitled to full involuntary separation pay." i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online 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. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table identifies the appropriate reentry code to assign the Soldier based on the narrative reason for discharge. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change and a reentry code change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because it would enable him to enter the Marine Corps. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200 with an honorable discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for an involuntary discharge under this paragraph is "Completion Of Required Active Service" and the separation code is "JBK." 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 desires to rejoin the Military Service. However, 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 are no basis upon which 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. 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 5 January 2018, 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 AR20160013027 3