1.	Applicant's Name:  

	a.	Application Date:  21 April 2017

	b.	Date Received:  24 April 2017

	c.	Counsel:  None

2.	REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION:  The applicant requests a change to the 
narrative reason for separation to include the reentry eligibility (RE) code.  The applicant seeks 
relief contending, in effect, needs a reason change to qualify for VA benefits.  The applicant 
requested a VA home loan and was denied because of the parenthood chapter and not having 
serve two years on active duty.  The applicant was having childcare issues and informed the chain 
of command.  The applicant requested a hardship transfer to a unit on the mainland, but the chain 
of command denied the request and would not place the applicant on rear detachment; instead 
was discharged.

In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 August 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:  Parenthood / AR 635-200 / Chapter 5, 
Paragraph 5-8 / JDG / RE-3 / Honorable

	b.	Date of Discharge:  3 December 2011

	c.	Separation Facts:  No

		(1)	Date of Notification of Intent to Separate:  NIF

		(2)	Basis for Separation:  NIF

		(3)	Recommended Characterization:  NIF

		(4)	Legal Consultation Date:  NIF

		(5)	Administrative Separation Board:  NA

		(6)	Separation Decision Date / Characterization:  NIF

4.	SERVICE DETAILS:

	a.	Date / Period of Enlistment:  29 December 2009 / 6 years

	b.	Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score:  24 years / HS Graduate / NIF

	c.	Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service:  E-3 / 15J10, 0H-58D Armament 
Electronic Avionic Systems Repairer / 1 year, 1 months, 5 days

	d.	Prior Service / Characterizations:  None
	e.	Overseas Service / Combat Service:  Hawaii / None

	f.	Awards and Decorations:  NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR

	g.	Performance Ratings:  NA

	h.	Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record:  NIF

	i.	Lost Time / Mode of Return:  None

	j.	Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health:  NIF

5.	APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE:  D Form 293 (two pages).

6.	POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:  The applicant states in his application, he serves full 
time in the Army National Guard as a DOD Federal Technician in good standing.

7.	REGULATORY CITATION(S):  Army Regulation 635-200 provides the basic authority for the 
separation of enlisted personnel.  Paragraph 5-8 provides that a Soldier may be separated 
when parental obligations interfere with fulfillment of military responsibilities.  Specific reasons 
for separation because of parenthood include inability to perform prescribed duties satisfactorily, 
repeated absenteeism, late for work, inability to participate in field training exercises or perform 
special duties such as CQ and Staff Duty NCO, and non-availability for worldwide assignment or 
deployment according to the needs of the Army.  

Unless the reason for separation requires a specific characterization, a Soldier being separated 
for the convenience of the government will be awarded a character of service of honorable, 
general under honorable conditions or an uncharacterized description of service if in entry-level 
status.  

No Soldier will be awarded a characterization of service under honorable conditions under this 
Chapter unless the Soldier is notified, using the notification procedure, of the specific factors in 
his/her service record that warrant such a characterization.

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 "JDG" as the 
appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of AR 
635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-8, for parenthood.

The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code 
of "JDG" will be assigned an RE Code of 3.

8.	DISCUSSION OF FACT(S):  The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for 
separation to include the RE code.  The applicant's available record of service and the issues 
submitted with his application were carefully reviewed.

The applicant's record is void of the specific facts and circumstances concerning the events 
which led to his discharge from the Army.  However, the applicant's record does contain a 
properly constituted DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), which 
was not authenticated by the applicant's digital signature.  This document identifies the reason 
and characterization of the discharge and government regularity is presumed in the discharge 
process.
The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, 
Chapter 5, paragraph 5-8 by reason of parenthood, with an honorable characterization of 
service.  Barring evidence to the contrary, the presumption of government regularity prevails as 
all the requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully 
protected throughout the separation process.  Further, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation 
Code of JDG (i.e., parenthood), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of 3.

The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation to include the RE code.  
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 "JDG" as the 
appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of AR 
635-200, Chapter 5, paragraph 5-8, for parenthood.  The regulation further stipulates that no 
deviation is authorized.

The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code 
of "JDG" will be assigned an RE Code of 3

The applicant seeks relief contending, he needs a reason change to qualify for VA benefits; and 
he requested a VA home loan and was denied, because he did not serve two years on active 
duty.  Eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or 
Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board.  
Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for 
further assistance.

The applicant's contentions were carefully considered regarding he was having childcare issues 
and informed his chain of command; and he requested a hardship transfer to a unit on the 
mainland, his chain of command denied his request and would not place him on rear 
detachment; instead he was discharged.  However, there is insufficient evidence available in the 
official record to make a determination as to the merit of these contentions.

If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it is his responsibility to meet the burden 
of proof and provide the appropriate documents (i.e., the discharge packet) or other evidence 
sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for 
the Board's consideration because they are not available in the official record.

Based on the available record, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and 
substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority 
and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process.

9.  BOARD DETERMINATION:  In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 8 August 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 a New Separation Order: 	No 

	b.	Change Characterization to:  				No Change

	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
AR20170008185
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