1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 27 February 2018 b. Date Received: 5 March 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a Separation Code (SPD) change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, the current SPD code of "JDG" reflected on discharge, requires recoupment of enlistment bonus. The applicant states, separation was due to dependency difficulties due to a divorce, wherein the applicant received full custody of two minor children. At the time of discharge, volume 7A, Chapter 9, states that a parenthood dependency separation does not require the recoupment of unearned portions of a bonus. The applicant believes the wrong separation code was selected, which resulted in the recoupment of bonus. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 5 August 2020, 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 5-8 / JDG / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 31 October 2016 c. Separation Facts: The applicant's service record is void of the specific facts and circumstances surrounding his separation; however, the applicant provided separation documents. (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 15 August 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: Due to his lack of family care plan he had been unable to fulfill his requirement as a WMD Team Member, and as a Nuclear Support Team NCO. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 15 August 2016, the applicant waived his rights to consult with a JAG officer. (5) Administrative Separation Board: On 15 August 2016, the applicant unconditionally waived consideration of his case before an administrative separation board. (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: undated / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 13 December 2013 / 6 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 24 / 4 years college / 118 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-6 / 89D30, EOD Specialist / 10 years, 6 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: ARNG, 25 October 2006 - 10 March 2009 / HD IADT, 17 July 2007 - 2 November 2007 / HD (Concurrent Service) RA, 11 March 2009 - 7 January 2010 / HD RA, 8 July 2010 - 12 December 2013 / HD e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AAM, AGCM-2, NDSM, GWOTSM, NCOPDR-2, ASR g. Performance Ratings: 1 October 2013 - 30 September 2014 / Among The Best 1 October 2014 - 30 September 2015 / Fully Capable 1 October 2015 - 31 August 2016 / Qualified h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; DD Form 214; Separation Packet; DOD FMR Vol 7A, Chapter 9 excerpt; Enlistment Contract; and, Entitlement to SRB. 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. 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 Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 5-8, Parenthood. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a SPD code change. The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. The applicant's involuntary separation was appropriate since the command determined that his parental obligations interfered with the fulfillment of military responsibilities and he was properly informed as to the specific factors in his service record that would warrant such a characterization. The applicant contends the SPD code should be changed because it requires a recoupment of his enlistment bonus. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-8, AR 635-200 with a honorable discharge. The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Parenthood," and the separation code is "JDG." 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 contends recoupment of his enlistment bonus was unwarranted because of dependency difficulties resulting from his divorce. However, the applicant's requested change does not fall within the purview of this Board. The applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR), using the enclosed DD Form 149 regarding this matter. A DD Form 149 may also be obtained from a Veterans' Service Organization. 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 5 August 2020, 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 AR20180006078 1