1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 7 November 2017 b. Date Received: 17 November 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 has a medical condition called hypothyroidism, which causes him to gain weight easy, but it is hard for him to lose weight. He states because of his condition, he should have been separated through a medical discharge instead under chapter 18. Per the Board's Medical Officer, a voting member, based on the information available for review in the service record, AHLTA, and JLV, were reviewed. The record indicates that the applicant had mild hypothyroidism which responded successfully to exogenous thyroid hormone. He was placed on thyroid hormone in April 2016 and, by Dec 2016, his thyroid hormone levels had normalized. His weight, however, continued to increase. While severe, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain, the applicant's level of hypothyroidism was mild and highly unlikely to cause significant weight gain. Additionally, his thyroid condition was successfully treated with exogenous thyroid hormone and, as such, is not responsible for the applicant not meeting body weight standards. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 24 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: Weight Control Failure / AR 635-200 / Chapter 18 / JCR / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 26 May 2017 c. Separation Facts: (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: NIF (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 27 September 2013 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 29 / HS Graduate / 90 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 92F10, Petroleum Supply Specialist / 10 years, 10 months, 1 day d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 26 July 2006 - 3 August 2008 / HD RA, 4 August 2008 - 26 September 2013 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Guam, SWA / Afghanistan (10 June 2010 - 4 June 2011), Iraq (15 June 2008 - 14 June 2009) f. Awards and Decorations: ACM-2CS, ARCOM-4, AAM-3, ASUA, AGCM-4, NDSM, GWOTSM, ICM-CS, ASR, OSR-4, NATOMDL g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Medical Record, dated 27 April 2016, reflects the applicant was enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program (ABCP). The applicant reported weighing around 200 pounds when he first enlisted. He lost 30 pounds during basic training and AIT, but he had been gradually gaining weight since then. He was removed from the ABCP after losing two percent body fat in one month during a three month deployment. Shortly after returning, he was put back onto the ABCP. The applicant had been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293. 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. Chapter 18 stipulates that Soldiers who fail to meet the body fat standards set forth in Army Regulation 600-9 shall be separated under this provision when it is the sole basis for separation. The regulation provides that the Soldier must be given a reasonable opportunity to comply with and meet the body fat standards. The regulation also provides that if no medical condition exists and if the individual fails to make satisfactory progress in the program after a period of six months, then initiation of separation or imposition of a bar to reenlistment is required. The service of Soldiers separated under Chapter 18 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 "JCR" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 18, weight control failure. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JCR" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 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 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 authenticated by the applicant's signature. The DD Form 214 indicates the applicant was discharged under the provisions of AR 635-200, Chapter 18, by reason of Weight Control Failure, with a characterization of service of Honorable. Barring evidence to the contrary, it appears that all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant would have been protected throughout the separation process. The applicant's contentions about his medical condition should have warranted a medical separation, was carefully considered. However, there is insufficient evidence available in the official record to make a determination upon the applicant's quality of service. Moreover, there is a presumption of regularity in the conduct of governmental affairs which is applied in all Army discharge reviews unless there is substantial credible evidence to rebut the presumption. There is no evidence in the record, nor has the applicant produced any evidence, to support a change to the narrative reason. The applicant's statements alone do not overcome the presumption of government regularity and the application contains no documentation or further evidence in support of this request for an upgrade of the discharge. Further, the record does not contain any medical evidence to indicate a problem which would have rendered the applicant disqualified for further military service with either medical limitation or medication. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 18, AR 635-200 with a honorable discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Weight Control Failure," and the separation code is "JCR"." 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. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it will be 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 24 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 AR20170018729 1