1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 2 October 2018 b. Date Received: 9 October 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a change to narrative reason for discharge to reduction in force (KCC). The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, would like a change to the narrative reason for discharge for the purpose of being able to reenlist. The applicant was discharged with the code of JFW, erroneous enlistment due to disqualifying medical condition. The applicant's papers read that the applicant had the chronic condition of asthma, but the correct illness was an acute episode of pneumonia/bronchitis. PFT performed by Dr. C.A., and read by Dr. J.A.B. III, show the applicant did not have the chronic condition of asthma. The applicant has been told by a recruiter that the separation code prevents the applicant from reenlisting. The positive meth choline test for asthma was recently performed on the applicant by a pulmonologist and is negative for asthma. The acute condition of pneumonia/bronchitis subsided and the applicant has made a complete recovery. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 17 July 2019, 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: 19 January 2017 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: 9 December 2016 (2) Basis for Separation: The Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings show the applicant was diagnosed with exercise induced bronchospasm (3) Recommended Characterization: Uncharacterized (4) Legal Consultation Date: On 11 January 2017, the applicant concur with the proceedings and requested to be discharge from the US Army without delay. (5) Administrative Separation Board: NA (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: 13 January 2017 / Uncharacterized 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 24 October 2016 / 4 years b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 23 / Baccalaureate Degree / 121 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / None / 2 months, 26 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: None g. Performance Ratings: None h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Several counseling statements reference the failure of several Army Physical Fitness Test and notification of pending separation action. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: NIF 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 293; medical documents from Spartanburg Regional Medical Center; Entrance Physical Standards Board (EPSBD) Proceedings; and DD Form 214 for the period of service under review. 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 to reduction in force (KCC). The applicant's record of service, the issues and documents submitted with his application were carefully reviewed. Evidence of records show the applicant was diagnosed with exercise induced bronchospasm; which resulted in him being separated under the provisions of Chapter 5, paragraph 5-11, AR 635-200 with an uncharacterized discharge. 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. Evidence of record shows the applicant was not discharged as a result of reduction in force. The applicant seeks relief contending that his papers read that he had the chronic condition of asthma, the correct illness he had was an acute episode of pneumonia/bronchitis. PFT performed by Dr. C.A., and read by Dr. J.A.B. III, showed he did not have the chronic condition of asthma. He has been told by a recruiter that his separation coder prevents him from reenlisting. The positive meth choline test for asthma was recently performed on him by a pulmonologist and is negative for asthma. The acute condition of pneumonia/bronchitis subsided and he has made a complete recovery The applicant's contention were noted; however, evidence of record confirms the applicant's separation processing was accomplished in accordance with the applicable regulation. All requirements of law and regulation were met and the rights of the applicant were fully protected throughout the separation process. The applicant expressed his desire for a change to his narrative reason for discharge for the purpose of being able to reenlist. 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 17 July 2019, 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 AR20180013835 1