1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 5 April 2017 b. Date Received: 1 May 201725 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable and a change to his reentry eligibility (RE) code. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that he would like an upgrade of his discharge to increase his chances at serving his nation again. He contends he was strongly advised by multiple recruiters that doing this will increase his chances of receiving a waiver, however he will not complain if his request is disapproved. He believes his conduct while in service has no serious infractions and his appreciation for armed service has not weakened. His knee injury was nothing short of intense bruising due to two private falling on top of it; however, he has been cleared by a doctor. He honestly bare no grudge against the men that fell on him but why is he the only on still being cursed by this old injury. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 17 August 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh 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 / Chapter 13-2E / JFT / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 12 March 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 25 February 2015 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: he was counseled for failing a record Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on 13 January 2015, with a score of 154 points. During the APFT conduct on 13 January 2015, he received 65 points for the push-ups, 55 points for the sit-ups, and 34 points for the 2 mile run; and He was counseled on 28 January 2015, for failing the APFT on 27 January 2015, with a score of 164 points. During the APFT conducted on 27 January 2015, he received 73 points for the push-ups, 63 points for the sit-ups, and 28 points for the 2 mile run. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: 5 March 2015 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 9 March 2015 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: ADT 16 June 2014 / 11 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 25 / 13 years / NIF c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-2 / None / 1 year, 9 months, 13 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 30 May 2013 to 15 October 2013 / NA ADT, 16 October 2013 to 12 March 2014 / NIF ARNG, 13 March 2014 to 15 June 2014 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 4 February 2015, shows the applicant had no psychiatric impairments, he was psychiatrically cleared to participate in the Chapter 13 administrative separation process IAW AR 635-200. Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard Several counseling statements for failing the APFT i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 4 February 2015, shows the applicant had no psychiatric impairments, he was psychiatrically cleared to participate in the Chapter 13 administrative separation process IAW AR 635-200. 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 and DD Form 214. 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). 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 "JFT" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 13-2e, Physical standards. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFT" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable and a change to his reentry eligibility (RE) code. 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 poor duty performance. The applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 13, paragraph 13-2e, AR 635-200 with a general (under honorable conditions) discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Physical standards," and the separation code is "JFT." 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 SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFT" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. The applicant contends that he believes his conduct while in service has no serious infractions and his appreciation for armed service has not weakened. His knee injury was nothing short of intense bruising due to two private falling on top of it; however, he has been cleared by a doctor. He honestly bare no grudge against the men that fell on him but why is he the only on still being cursed by this old injury. 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 (i.e., someone falling on his knee). 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 applicant expressed his desire of having the chance to serve his nation again. 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 17 August 2018, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was too harsh 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 / 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 AR20170007773 4