1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 19 December 2016 b. Date Received: 22 December 2016 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, his current characterization of service is inequitable because his failures of the Army Physical Fitness Tests were a direct result of the pain caused by a series of abnormalities in the lower back onset after the Alpha company Physical Fitness Squad Competition on 2 May 2013. This diagnosis and his high standing as a Soldier in his day to day duties and infantry training are why he is requesting an upgrade of his discharge. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 6 April 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant's length and quality of service and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Physical Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 13-2e / JFT / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 18 March 2014 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 27 January 2014 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: for unsatisfactory performance by failing the Army Physical Fitness Test on 25 July 2013, 16 September 2013, and 25 November 2013. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 29 January 2014, the applicant waived consideration of his case by an administrative separation board (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 10 February 2014 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 13 March 2012 / 3 years, 16 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 22 / HS Graduate / 104 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 11B10, Infantryman / 2 years, 6 months d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Hawaii / None f. Awards and Decorations: AAM-2, NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 3 December 2013, shows the applicant screened negative for PTSD and TBI. It was noted that the applicant was responsible to his behavior, could distinguish right from wrong, and possessed sufficient mental capacity to understand and participate in any administrative or judicial proceedings. The applicant met medical retention standards IAW AR 40-501, and did not warrant disposition through medical channels. The applicant received several counseling's statements for failing the Army Physical Fitness Test i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; self-authored letter; character reference letters; medical record documents; separation packet; recommendations for awards; Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard's; Post-Service Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard; certificates of training and attendance; and DD Form 214. It was noted in the medical documents submitted by the applicant that he suffered with issues with lower back pain while in the military. 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 13-2e states in pertinent part, that separation proceedings will be initiated for Soldiers without medical limitations that have two consecutive failures of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The reason for discharge will be shown as physical standards. The service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure to meet physical standards will be characterized as honorable or general (under honorable conditions). 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The record confirms that the applicant's discharge was appropriate because of unsatisfactory performance which diminished the quality of his service. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant's service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance. The applicant seeks relief contending his current characterization of service is inequitable because his failures of the Army Physical Fitness Tests were a direct result of the pain caused by a series of abnormalities in the lower back onset after the Alpha Company Physical Fitness Squad Competition on 2 May 2013. This diagnosis and his high standing as a Soldier in his day to day duties and infantry training are why he is requesting an upgrade of his discharge. The applicant contentions were noted; however, the service record does not support the applicant's contention, and no evidence to support it has been submitted to corroborate the discharge was the result of any medical condition. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service at the time of discharge. 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 6 April 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh based on the applicant's length and quality of service and as a result it is inequitable. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable c. Change Reason to: No Change d. Change Authority to: No Change e. Change SPD Code to: No Change f. Change RE Code to: 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 AR20170000958 4