1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 5 June 2017 b. Date Received: 8 June 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, he was discharged to attend law school and return to the Army as a JAG officer. At the time, his unit's leadership was under the impression that the applicant could do so via the non-scholarship green-to-gold program. However, once he arrived at the ROTC unit of the law school, Akron University ROTC, the Professor of Military Science, explained that he would be unable to branch into JAG via ROTC, and instead, he would need to be completely out of the military and apply as a civilian in order to enter the JAG Corps. As such, he was dis-enrolled from ROTC, and instead applied, and was eventually accepted into the Army JAG Reserve Program in the fall 2015 selection board. He states his current DD Form 214, reads that the Narrative Reason for Separation was to "Enter Officer Training Program." This has caused a significant amount of confusion and misunderstanding to civilians and military personnel alike, because it appears that he is still enrolled in ROTC and that he was and is being commissioned via ROTC program. After speaking with VA personnel, he was informed that changing the Narrative Code for Separation "To Attend Civilian School" was a more accurate description of what happened and would clear up confusion that employers and military personnel have over his position in the ROTC program. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 17 October 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: Enter Officer Training Program / AR 635-200, Chapter 16-2 / KGX / RE-1 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 10 August 2012 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 27 February 2012 (2) Basis for Separation: Pursuant to the applicant's Army Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Nonscholarship Cadet Contract. (3) Recommended Characterization: NA (4) Legal Consultation Date: NA (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 21 April 2012 / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 4 January 2011 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 25 / Bachelor's Degree / 129 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 68W10, Health Care Specialist / 1 year, 7 months, 7 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Memorandum for Separation Authority, dated 27 February 2012, reflects the applicant's application for acceptance into The University of Akron's Army ROTC Program was approved and contingent upon release from his current unit to complete the Green to Gold Non- Scholarship program. The application would be separated under the provisions of AR 635-200, paragraph 16-2, provided such action was not in contravention of AR 600-31. Personnel Action form, dated 19 March 2012, reflects the applicant requested a Time-in Service waiver for attendance / acceptance to the Non-Scholarship Green to Gold Program. The applicant requested discharge under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 16-2c(1)(a). The applicant's request was approved on 21 April 2012. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 214; DD Form 293; Admission Application; Memorandum for Separation Authority; and, Disenrollment from ROTC memorandum. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Enrolled in the Army JAG Reserve Program. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 16 establishes policy and prescribes procedures for separating members for selected changes in service obligations. Paragraph 16-12 states a Soldiers may be discharged for the purpose of entering a program leading to a commission or warrant officer appointment in any branch of the Armed Forces. This includes: Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC); Officer Candidate School (OCS); and, other officer accession programs of the USN and USAF that require enlistment in those branches of the Armed Forces. Discharge may be approved upon presentation of documentary evidence from the proper authority showing that the Soldier has been accepted for an officer commissioning or appointment program, subject to discharge from his/her Army enlisted status. Soldiers may be discharged for the purpose of entry into Army Senior ROTC as scholarship cadets or nonscholarship advanced course cadets, with a course of study leading to baccalaureate or higher degree. Discharge will be effective the day preceding enlistment in the appropriate branch of the Armed Forces and the day preceding enlistment in the USAR. Discharge documents will not be delivered to the Soldier until verification is made that such enlistment has taken place. The service of Soldiers discharged under this paragraph will be characterized as honorable. 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 "KGX" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 16, paragraph 2, Enter Officer Training Program. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change. The applicant's available 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 the applicant's request and acceptance in The University of Akron's Army ROTC Program was approved and contingent upon release from his current unit to complete the Green to Gold Non-Scholarship program. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that he should have been discharged under any other provision of AR 635-200. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed because it has caused confussion from military and civilian employers. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 16, paragraph 16-2, AR 635-200 with a honorable discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is Enter Officer Training Program," and the separation code is "KGX." 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 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 October 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 AR20170010394 4