1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 8 May 2017 b. Date Received: 9 May 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant did not properly annotate the enclosed application requesting a possible discharge upgrade. However, the Army Discharge Review Board considered the applicant for a possible upgrade as instructed in pertinent part by Department of Defense Instruction 1332.28 which stipulates that a request for review from an applicant without an honorable discharge shall be treated as a request for a change to an honorable discharge unless the applicant requests a specific change to another character of discharge. The record of evidence shows at the time of discharge, the applicant received an honorable characterization of service. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant did not submit any issues of equity or propriety to be considered by the Board. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 7 September 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: 31 March 2011 c. Separation Facts: Yes (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 9 March 2011 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reason for her discharge; her inability to establish an adequate family care plan significantly impairs her ability to perform and conduct herself accordingly as a Soldier in the US Army. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 11 March 2011 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 14 March 2011 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 10 September 2009 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 years / HS Graduate / 100 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-3 / 42F10, Human Resource Information System Management Specialist / 5 years, 8 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 2 October 2004 to 18 March 2008 / GD Break In Service e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: The applicant received three negative counseling statements regarding establishment of a family care plan. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (two pages). 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 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 did not properly annotate the enclosed application requesting a possible discharge upgrade. However, the Army Discharge Review Board considered the applicant for a possible upgrade as instructed in pertinent part by Department of Defense Instruction 1332.28 which stipulates that a request for review from an applicant without an honorable discharge shall be treated as a request for a change to an honorable discharge unless the applicant requests a specific change to another character of discharge. The record of evidence shows at the time of discharge, the applicant received an honorable characterization of service. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant requests a change to the narrative reason for separation. 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, by reason of parenthood. The regulation further stipulates that no deviation is authorized. The applicant did not submit any issues of equity or propriety to be considered by the Board. 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 7 September 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 AR20170009599 1