1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 23 May 2018 b. Date Received: 29 May 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests an upgrade of general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant seeks relief contending, in pertinent part and in effect, the applicant was a good Soldier with AGCM and ARCOM awards. The applicant could not pass the APFT due to back medical condition. Applicant was granted service-connected disability by VA. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 15 July 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the applicant's length of service and quality of service, to include combat service, and the circumstances surrounding the discharge (i.e., medical records show the applicant's medical condition with lower back). Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code, and reentry code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Physical Standards / AR 635-200, Paragraph 13-2e / JFT / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 9 August 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 31 May 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant failed two record Army Physical Fitness Tests within a 90-day period. (3) Recommended Characterization: General (Under Honorable Conditions) (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 15 July 2016 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 8 January 2013 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 20 / HS Graduate / 104 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 25U10, Signal Support Systems Specialist / 3 years, 7 months, 2 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: SWA / Afghanistan (25 July 2014 to 17 April 2015) f. Awards and Decorations: ARCOM; AAM; AGCM; NDSM; GWOTSM; ASR; OSR; NATO MDL g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Counseling statements for failing his second APFT and flag being imposed due to involuntary separation. Two Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecards, dated 27 April 2016, and 2 February 2016, indicate the applicant failed the two-mile runs: 18 points for 20:20 timed run, and 28 points for 19:30 timed run, respectively. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 5 May 2016, psychiatrically cleared the applicant for any administrative action deemed appropriate by his command. Report of Medical History, dated 12 May 2016, indicates the applicant noted frequent lower back pain and the examiner noted chronic low back pain. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None / NA j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 (Application for the Review of Discharge), dated 23 May 2018. Additional evidence: medical records, dated in March and May 2014, and July, September, October, and November 2015, and June 2016; and VA Rating Decision, dated 11 December 2019. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None provided with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the basic authority for the separation of enlisted personnel. Chapter 13 contains the policy and outlines the procedures for separating individuals for unsatisfactory performance, and provides, in pertinent part, that commanders will separate a member under this Chapter when, in the commander's judgment, the member will not develop sufficiently to participate satisfactorily in further training and/or become a satisfactory Soldier. Paragraph 13-2e states in pertinent part, that separation proceedings will be initiated for Soldiers without medical limitations that have two consecutive failures of the Army Physical Fitness Test. The reason for discharge will be shown as physical standards. The service of Soldiers separated because of unsatisfactory performance for failure to meet physical standards will be characterized as honorable or general (under honorable conditions). Army policy states that a general, under honorable conditions discharge is normally considered appropriate; however, an honorable discharge may be granted in meritorious cases. 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 "JFT" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 13, paragraph 13-2e, physical standards. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JFT" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. The applicant's available record of service, and the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. After examining the applicant's record of service, his military records, the documents, and the issues submitted with the application, there are mitigating factors to merit an upgrade of the applicant's discharge to honorable; the applicant was discharged for the sole reason of failing to meet the minimum standards of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). The service record does not contain any other derogatory information and it shows the preponderance of the applicant's service was honorable. The applicant served three years and seven months of his four-year enlistment contract, and he earned an ARCOM, AAM, and AGCM, and served a combat tour in Afghanistan. The applicant contends that medical issues contributed to his discharge from the Army. A careful review of the applicant's documentary evidence consisting of medical records indicate the applicant had an ongoing history of medical issues involving lower back pain that affected his running during APFT. 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 15 July 2020, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the applicant's length of service and quality of service, to include combat service, and the circumstances surrounding the discharge (i.e., medical records show the applicant's medical condition with lower back). Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to the characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code, and reentry code were proper and equitable and voted not to change them. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: Honorable 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 AR20180008022 1