1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 30 August 2016 b. Date Received: 15 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 pertinent part and in effect, he was authorized by the US Army to reenlist under the indefinite program in February 2015. He was then notified of being identified for QMP in December 2015. He received the final decision in June 2016. He strongly feels that he should be authorized to reenter in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. He gave 12 years of his life to the US Army and was booted for an incident that occurred six years ago prior as reflected on his NCOER. Although he received half separation pay, it does not mean anything because he has a passion for what he did and that is, supporting Soldiers and commanders to ensure that they have all the equipment that they need. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 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 further found, 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 November 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 29 April 2016 (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: NA / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 19 February 2015 / Indefinite b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / Bachelor of Science Degree / 110 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-6 / 92Y3P, Unit Supply Specialist / 12 years, 8 months, 22 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA (10 February 2004 to 4 April 2007) / HD RA (5 April 2007 to 12 February 2010) / HD RA (13 February 2010 to 18 February 2015) / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Alaska, Haiti, SWA / Iraq (2 January 2007 to 20 March 2008), Haiti (23 January 2010 to 5 March 2010), Iraq (12 May 2011 to 24 December 2011) f. Awards and Decorations: BSM; ARCOM-5; AAM-8; AGCM-3; NDSM; ICM-2CS; AFSM; HSM; NCOPDR-3; ASR; OSR; MUC; VUA; ASUA g. Performance Ratings: Two NCOERs rendered during period under current review: 8 July 2014 thru 7 July 2015, Among the Best 8 July 2015 thru 6 July 2016, Exceeded Standard h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum, dated 29 April 2016, subject; Notification of Denial of Continued Active Duty Service under the QMP, with Statement of Options, dated 5 May 2016, are self-explanatory. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: Online application, dated 30 August 2016; DD Form 214 and discharge orders; memorandum, subject: Resolution of Unfavorable Information for [the applicant], dated 6 February 2015, with its associated documents; and enlistment contract, dated 19 February 2015, with its associated documents. 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 and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that by memorandum, dated 29 April 2016, the applicant was notified that a Qualitative Management Program (QMP) Selection Board that conducted a comprehensive review of his record for potential denial of continued service under QMP, recommended the applicant be denied continued active duty service. The Director of Military Personnel Management then approved the board's recommendation and directed the applicant's discharge no later than 1 November 2016, but also provided the applicant options to request an earlier discharge date or appeal and request retention on active duty based on newly discovered evidence, removal of documents from his OMPF, or material error. In a Statement of Options for QMP, the applicant notified on 5 May 2016, elected not to appeal and indicated he understood he would be involuntarily discharged on 1 November 2016. The record also 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 November 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, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JGH (i.e., non-retention on active duty, AR 635- 200, paragraph 19-12), with a reenlistment eligibility (RE) Code of "4." However, 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 15 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 further found, 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 AR20160015196 1