1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 11 March 2017 b. Date Received: 30 March 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change and a reentry eligibility (RE) code change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, believes the narrative reason and the RE code are unjust because, though a failed APFT was the cause of discharge, the applicant passed at least three consecutive APFTs before discharge. The applicant has provided evidence that of passing the APFTs for the Board's consideration. The applicant states, the chapter process also began less than six months before the Expiration Term of Service (ETS). The discharge is now interfering with life. The applicant is a dedicated Soldier and NCO and desires to continue serving in either the Reserve or the Guard component. The applicant was highly recommended by the commander, field grade officer and first sergeant. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 6 October 2019, 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: Physical Standards / AR 635-200 / Chapter 13-2E / JFT / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 4 March 2017 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 23 November 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: He failed two consecutive Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 11 January 2017 (5) Administrative Separation Board: On 11 January 2017, the applicant unconditionally waived consideration of his case before an administrative separation board. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 19 January 2017 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 18 April 2014 / 3 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 28 / HS Graduate / 123 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-5 / 11B2P, Infantryman / 11 years, 10 months, 16 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 25 February - 4 June 2004 / UNC (Break in Service) ARNG, 29 July 2005 - 14 April 2009 / UNC AD, 4 January 2006 - 26 May 2006 / HD (Concurrent Service) IRR, 14 April 2009 - 7 December 2009 / NIF e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Italy, Korea, SWA / Afghanistan (29 July 2010 - 28 July 2011) f. Awards and Decorations: ACM-2CS, ARCOM, AAM-2, NATOMDL, MUC, AGCM-2, NDSM, GWOTSM, KDSM, NCOPDR, ASR, OSR-3, CIB g. Performance Ratings: 1 June 2014 - 31 May 2015 / Fully Capable 1 June 2015 - 30 May 2016 / Qualified h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: General Officer Memorandum Of Reprimand, dated 11 March 2015, for on 3 December 2014, he was cruel toward, and maltreated SPC H, a Soldier subject to his orders. As corrective training for missing that morning's PT formation he instructed SPC H to conduct various strenuous and exhausting exercises for over an hour. This included ordering SPC H to perform a low crawl with his face against the concrete floor, resulting in cuts and abrasions to his face. The corrective training administered had no relation to the Soldier's deficiencies and caused injuries to his Soldier. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; Medical records; five letters of support. 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 a narrative reason change and a reentry eligibility (RE) code change. 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 contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because passed three APFTs prior to his discharge. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 13, paragraph 13-2e, AR 635-200 with a honorable 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 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 3. There are no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. 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 applicant contends that he had good service which included a combat tour. The applicant's service accomplishments and the quality of his service prior to the incidents that caused the initiation of discharge proceeding were carefully considered. The applicant is to be commended for his accomplishments. The third party statements provided with the application speak highly of the applicant's performance. They all recognize his good conduct while in the Army. However, none of these statements provide any evidence sufficiently compelling to overcome the presumption of government regularity. The applicant contends that an upgrade of his discharge will allow him to obtain better employment. However, the Board does not grant relief for the purpose of gaining employment or enhancing employment opportunities. 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 6 October 2019, 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 AR20170009374 1