1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 8 August 2018 b. Date Received: 13 August 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 effect, that the applicant enlisted from 24 June 1998 to 25 June 2001, and received an honorable discharge. The applicant reenlisted 14 years later and received a Chapter 13 for Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) separation. The applicant contends that in order to receive benefits, the applicant needs an honorable discharge. The previous enlistment benefits have expired and the applicant has already been accepted and payed tuition for the upcoming 2018 fall semester. The applicant believes the previous discharge of honorable and current discharge not being a disciplinary discharge should have been HONORABLE. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 6 March 2020, and by a 4-1 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the applicant's length of service and a prior period of honorable service. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE 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 / Chapter 13-2E / JFT / RE-3 / General (Under Honorable Conditions) b. Date of Discharge: 8 August 2018 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 20 June 2018 (2) Basis for Separation: The applicant was informed of the following reasons: failing two consecutive record Army Physical Fitness Tests between 1 November 2018 (2017) and 29 January 2018 (3) Recommended Characterization: Honorable (4) Legal Consultation Date: 26 June 2018 (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 7 October 2015 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 36 / HS Graduate / 101 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 92A10, Automated Logistical Specialist and 11B10, Infantryman / 10 years, 4 months, 1 day d. Prior Service / Characterizations: RA, 25 June 1998 to 24 June 2001 / HD USARCG, 25 June 2001 to 23 December 2005 / NA e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AGCM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Army Physical Fitness Test Scorecard, showing test dates of 1 November 2017 and 29 November 2018. Report of Mental Status Evaluation, dated 5 February 2018, which indicated the applicant had no behavioral health services needs at the time. He met medical retention per AR 40-501 from a behavioral health perspective. He was therefore cleared for administrative separation actions a deemed necessary by his command. Counseling statements reference failing APFT and recommendation for separation. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293 and a copy of his DD Form 214 for a prior period of service. 6. POST SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: None submitted with the application. 7. REGULATORY CITATION(S): Army Regulation 635-200 sets forth the requirements and procedures for administrative discharge of enlisted personnel. Chapter 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). 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests an upgrade of his general (under honorable conditions) discharge to honorable. 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 of unsatisfactory performance which diminished the quality of his service. 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. The applicant seeks relief contending that he enlisted from 24 June 1998 to 25 June 2001, and received an honorable discharge. He reenlisted 14 years later and received a Chapter 13 for Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) separation. He contends that in order for him to receive his benefits he needs an honorable discharge. His previous enlistment benefits have expired and he has already been accepted and payed tuition for the upcoming 2018 fall semester. He believes his previous discharge of honorable and his current discharge not being a disciplinary discharge should have been HONORABLE. The applicant's contentions were noted; however, evidence of records shows the applicant received an honorable discharge for his prior period of honorable service. However, as noted by the applicant he reenlisted for a new period of service and received a Chapter 13 for failing the APFT. The record does not contain any indication or evidence of arbitrary or capricious actions by the command and all requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The character of the applicant's discharge is commensurate with his overall service record for the period of service under review. 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. Also it should be noted; eligibility for veteran's benefits to include educational benefits under the Post-9/11 or Montgomery GI Bill does not fall within the purview of the Army Discharge Review Board. Accordingly, the applicant should contact a local office of the Department of Veterans Affairs for further assistance. 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 6 March 2020, and by a 4-1 vote, the Board determined that the characterization of service was inequitable based on the applicant's length of service and a prior period of honorable service. Accordingly, the Board voted to grant relief in the form of an upgrade to characterization of service to honorable. The Board determined the narrative reason, SPD code and RE 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 AR20180011637 1