1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 29 August 2016 b. Date Received: 13 September 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests to change the narrative reason and its corresponding codes of his discharge. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, the requested changes would allow him to continue his Service in the Army Reserve because as a Reservist, he would have "the opportunity to pursue a position as a Miltech." If not with the Army Reserve, the National Guard offered to enlist him but the reentry code "4" has to be changed to a "1." In his search for a civilian job, his "luck has yet to be completed" as "a Miltech," or an enlistment with the Army National Guard. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 1 November 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. However the Board found that, notwithstanding the propriety of the discharge, the applicant's DD Form 214 block 25 contained an erroneous entry. As a result, the Board directed an administrative correction, by changing block 25, separation authority to reflect "AR 635-200, Paragraph 19-12" and to reissue the applicant's DD Form 214. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Non-Retention on Active Duty / AR 635-200, Chapter 4 / JGH / RE-4 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 1 May 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: The actual basis for the applicant to be considered for denial of continued active duty service under the Qualitative Management Program is NIF. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 25 January 2004 / AGR for 3 years per AHRC-ARE-A523, Orders R-01-470164, dated 14 January 2004, and continued service with indefinite reenlistment on 11 September 2006 in USAR b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 36 / HS Graduate / 88 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-6 / 31E30, Internment/ Resettlement, and 19D30, Cavalry Scout / 26 years, 6 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: USAR (17 June 1988 to 22 August 1988) / NA IADT (23 August 1988 to 15 December 1988) / UNC USAR (16 December 1988 to 25 September 1996) / HD Break in Service (Until 10 February 1998) USAR (11 February 1998 to 24 January 2004) / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None / None f. Awards and Decorations: ARCOM-5; AAM-3; ARCAM-3; AGCM-4; NDSM; GWOTSM; NCOPDR-3; ASR; AFRM w/10-Year DEV-Bronze Hourglass; MUC g. Performance Ratings: 14 NCOERs rendered during period under current review with ratings of "Among the Best" (AB) and "Fully Capable" (FC): March 2003 thru February 2004, AB March 2004 thru February 2005, AB March 2005 thru June 2005, AB 1 July 2005 thru 30 June 2006, AB 1 July 2006 thru 30 June 2007, AB 1 July 2007 thru 30 June 2008, FC 1 July 2008 thru 30 June 2009, AB 21 September 2009 thru 16 May 2010, Marginal 17 May 2010 thru 3 April 2011, FC 4 April 2011 thru 3 April 2012, FC 4 April 2012 thru 3 April 2013, FC 4 April 2013 thru 20 October 2013, FC 20 October 2013 thru 19 October 2014, AB 20 October 2014 thru 19 October 2015, AB h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Discharge Orders, dated 23 February 2016 i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application, dated 29 August 2016; DD Form 214. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 19 covers discharges caused by the qualitative screening by the Qualitative Management Program (QMP) for NCOs (SSG through CSM/SGM) whose performance, conduct, and/or potential for advancement do not meet Army standards, as determined by the approved recommendations of HQDA centralized selection boards responsible for QMP screening will be denied continued service. The QMP is designed to enhance the quality of the career enlisted force, selectively retain the best qualified Soldiers, deny continued service to nonproductive Soldiers, and encourage Soldiers to maintain their eligibility for further service. Section III, provides Soldier notification and option provisions, and its process. Paragraph 19-11 states, in pertinent part, that Soldiers denied continued service under QMP may appeal the determination and request retention on active duty on the basis of improved performance and/or presence of material error in the Soldier's record when reviewed by the selection board. Successful appeals result in removal of the denial of continued service determination. Army policy states the service of Soldier separated under this chapter will be characterized as honorable. 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 "JGH" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Paragraph 19-12, Non-Retention on Active Duty. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JGH" will be assigned an RE Code of 4. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests to change the narrative reason and its corresponding codes of his discharge. The applicant's available record of service and the issues submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The facts and circumstances pertaining to the basis for the Department of the Army's notification to the applicant for potential denial of his continued active duty service under the Qualitative Management Program (QMP), which led to his current discharge from the Army are not contained in the available records. However, the record contains a properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which was digitally authenticated by the applicant. His DD Form 214 indicates he was discharged on 1 May 2016, under the provisions of Chapter 4, AR 635-200, but by reason of non-retention on active duty, with a characterization of service of honorable. Furthermore, notwithstanding the propriety of the applicant's discharge, the service record indicates that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered in block 25 for separation authority as "AR 635-200, Chapter 4." In view of the error, an administrative correction is required by changing block 25, separation authority to "AR 635-200, Paragraph 19-12." Accordingly, the corresponding codes as shown on the DD Form 214 remain as: Separation Code of JGH (i.e., non-retention on active duty, AR 635-200, paragraph 19-12), and reenlistment eligibility (RE) Code of "4." The applicant requests to change the reason for his separation; however, the narrative reason for his separation is governed by specific directives. The narrative reason specified by AR 635- 5-1 for a discharge under AR 635-200, paragraph 19-12, is "Non-Retention on Active Duty" and the separation code is JGH. 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 4. An RE code of 4 cannot be waived and the applicant is no longer eligible for reenlistment. 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 1 November 2017, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board denied the request upon finding the separation was both proper and equitable. However, the Board found that, notwithstanding the propriety of the discharge, the applicant's DD Form 214 block 25 contained an erroneous entry. As a result, the Board directed an administrative correction, by changing block 25, separation authority to reflect "AR 635-200, Paragraph 19-12" and to reissue the applicant's DD Form 214. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a new DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: AR 635-200, Chapter 19-12 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 AR20160015050 4