1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 17 July 2018 b. Date Received: 23 July 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a narrative reason change and a reentry eligibility (RE) code change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, was discharged for unsatisfactory performance because the applicant had no desire to go to the Warrior Leader Course (WLC). At the time, the applicant wanted to just do four years of service and then ETS. When it was time to for the applicant to attend WLC, the applicant declined attendance and was discharged for unsatisfactory performance. The applicant should not have been discharged early, but at worst not promoted. The applicant believes during the time in the military, the applicant was a good Soldier. The applicant always put the company before oneself and had the integrity, leadership, perseverance and was hardworking with good ethics. The applicant does not believe the RE code should still be haunting with the unsatisfactory performance. The applicant misses the military and would like to re-enlist and once again serve the country, but the RE code is a barrier and needs to have it removed in order to make the packet stronger. The applicant already needs a waiver for mental health due to seeking counseling when the sister passed away. The applicant really hopes to have the RE code changed in order to focus on the one waiver instead of two. In hindsight, the applicant should have gone to WLC and moved on, but as a younger Soldier, was not thinking of the future. The applicant should be considered for a second chance at serving, so the applicant strongly requests the Board upgrade the RE code and remove the unsatisfactory performance narrative reason. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 10 January 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: Unsatisfactory Performance / AR 635- 200 / Chapter 13 / JHJ / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 27 April 2013 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 22 March 2013 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: On 14 December 2012, COL D., approved and signed a bar to reenlistment against the applicant for declining to attend the Warrior Leader Course in accordance with AR 601-280, and after his 90 day bar to reenlistment review, he again refused to attend the Warrior Leader Course and participate satisfactorily in further training. (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 26 March 2013 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: undated / Honorable 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 1 June 2010 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 27 / Master's Degree / 106 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 56M10, Chaplain Assistant / 2 years, 10 months, 27 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: Germany / None f. Awards and Decorations: AAM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR, OSR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Developmental Counseling Form, dated 1 December 2011, for receiving a parking ticket. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 19 December 2012, for declining to attend a professional development school, WLC. Developmental Counseling Form, dated 19 March 2013, for a 90 day bar to reenlistment review. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 7 February 2013, reflects the applicant was cleared for any administrative actions deemed appropriate by the command. The applicant could understand the difference between right and wrong and could participate in the proceedings. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 214; DD Form 293; case separation documents. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted 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. 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 "JHJ" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 13, unsatisfactory performance. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "JHJ" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a narrative reason change and a reentry eligibility (RE) code change. The applicant's 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 quality of his service was not consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. It brought discredit on the Army, and was prejudicial to good order and discipline. The applicant provided no independent corroborating evidence demonstrating that either the command's action was erroneous or that the applicant's service mitigated the misconduct or poor duty performance, such that he should have been retained on Active Duty. The applicant contends the narrative reason for the discharge should be changed. However, the applicant was separated under the provisions of Chapter 13, AR 635-200 with a general (under honorable conditions). The narrative reason specified by Army Regulations for a discharge under this paragraph is "Unsatisfactory Performance," and the separation code is "JHJ." 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 desires to rejoin the Military Service. However, Soldiers being processed for separation are assigned reentry codes based on their service records or the reason for discharge. Based on Army Regulation 635-5-1 and the SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table, the applicant was appropriately assigned an RE code of 3. There are no basis upon which to grant a change to the reason or to the RE code. An RE Code of 3 indicates the applicant requires a waiver prior to being allowed to reenlist. If reenlistment is desired, the applicant should contact a local recruiter to determine eligibility to reenlist. Recruiters can best advise a former service member as to the needs of the Army at the time, and are required to process waivers of reentry eligibility (RE) codes if appropriate. 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 10 January 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 AR20180011302 1