1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 14 November 2017 b. Date Received: 27 November 2017 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a change to his narrative reason for discharge and a change to his reentry eligibility (RE) code. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, that he is trying to enter the United States Marine Corps on active duty. He contends that they will not accept him unless his reentry code is changed to RE- 1A. He entered the Iowa National Guard and was told by his recruiter not to report his previous left knee surgery. He passed his entrance physical and was sent to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. There they noticed his surgery scars from the meniscus scope and sent him to the CTMC and the doctor wrote up a Chapter 11 and sent him home. He had a physical at MEPPS in Minneapolis and passed. The only thing holding him back from entering the USMC is the separation and reentry code on his DD Form 214. 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: Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 5-11 / JFW / RE-3 / Uncharacterized b. Date of Discharge: 20 July 2015 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: 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: ADT, 9 June 2015 / 10 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 17 / 10th Grade / 104 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-1 / None / 6 months, 28 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNGUS, 23 December 2014 to 8 June 2015 / NA (Concurrent Service) e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None 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: DD Form 293. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation (AR) 635-200 provides the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Paragraph 5-11 specifically provides that Soldiers who were not medically qualified under procurement medical fitness standards, when accepted for enlistment, or who became medically disqualified under these standards prior to entry on active duty or active duty training or initial entry training will be separated. A medical proceeding, regardless of the date completed, must establish that a medical condition was identified by appropriate medical authority within six months of the Soldier's initial entrance on active duty, that the condition would have permanently or temporarily disqualified the Soldier for entry into the military service had it been detected at that time, and the medical condition does not disqualify the Soldier from retention in the service under the provisions of AR 40-501, Chapter 3. The characterization of service for Soldiers separated under this provision of the regulation will normally be honorable. However for Soldiers in entry-level status, it will be uncharacterized. AR 635-200 states that a Soldier is in an entry-level status if the Soldier has not completed more than 180 days of creditable continuous active duty prior to the initiation of separation action. 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 "JFW" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5-11, and failed medical/physical/procurement standards. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFW" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a change to his narrative reason for discharge and a change to his reentry eligibility (RE) code. 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 5-11, by reason of Failed Medical/Physical/Procurement Standards, with a characterization of service of uncharacterized. Barring evidence to the contrary, all the requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant would have been protected throughout the separation process. Further, the DD Form 214 shows a Separation Code of JFW (i.e., failure to meet procurement medical fitness standards), with a reentry eligibility (RE) code of 3. The evidence of records shows the applicant was discharge while in an entry-level status (ELS). A Soldier is in an ELS for the first 180 days of continuous active duty. The purpose of the entry- level status is to provide the Soldier a probationary period. Army Regulation 635-200 also provides, except in cases of serious misconduct that a Soldier's service will be uncharacterized when his separation is initiated while in an entry level status. The applicant seeks relief contending, that he is trying to enter the United States Marine Corps on active duty. He contends that they will not accept him unless his reentry code is changed to RE-1A. He entered the Iowa National Guard and was told by his recruiter not to report his previous left knee surgery. He passed his entrance physical and was sent to boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. There they noticed his surgery scars from the meniscus scope and sent him to the CTMC and the doctor wrote up a Chapter 11 and sent him home. He had a physical at MEPPS in Minneapolis and passed. The only thing holding him back from entering the USMC is the separation and reentry code on his DD Form 214. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, it is unknown if his contentions have merit because the facts and circumstances leading to the discharge are not contained in the service record. The burden of proof remains with the former Soldier to provide the appropriate documents such as the discharge packet or other evidence sufficient to explain the facts, circumstances, and reasons underlying the separation action, for the Board's consideration. If the applicant desires a personal appearance hearing, it will still be her responsibility to meet the burden of proof since the discharge packet is not available in the official record It should be noted; evidence of record shows the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-11, AR 635-200. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Failed Medical / Physical / Procurement Standards," and the separation code is "JFW." 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 appropriate RE code is 3. There is no provision for any other reason to be entered under this regulation. Based on the available record, the discharge appears 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 AR20180001074 1