1. Applicant's Name: a. Application Date: 2 November 2018 b. Date Received: 8 November 2018 c. Counsel: None 2. REQUEST, ISSUES, BOARD TYPE, AND DECISION: The applicant requests a separation code change. The applicant seeks relief contending, in effect, received the wrong separation code on the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214, reflects a separation code of "LGH," which is for Failure to Meet Minimum Standards of Service. The separation code should reflect "MBK," because the applicant completed the contract to its fullest with no negative actions. In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 21 August 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined the narrative reason for the applicant's separation is now improper. Therefore, the Board directed the issue of a new DD Form 214 changing the separation authority to Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 4, the narrative reason for separation to Completion of Required Active Service, and the separation code to MBK. (Board member names available upon request) 3. DISCHARGE DETAILS: a. Reason / Authority / Codes / Characterization: Non-Retention On Active Duty / AR 635-200 / Chapter 4 / LGH / RE-3 / Honorable b. Date of Discharge: 6 January 2016 c. Separation Facts: (1) Date of Notification of Intent to Separate: NIF (2) Basis for Separation: NIF (3) Recommended Characterization: NIF (4) Legal Consultation Date: NIF (5) Administrative Separation Board: NIF (6) Separation Decision Date / Characterization: NIF 4. SERVICE DETAILS: a. Date / Period of Enlistment: 10 September 2012 / 3 years, 17 weeks b. Age at Enlistment / Education / GT Score: 19 / HS Graduate / 87 c. Highest Grade Achieved / MOS / Total Service: E-4 / 11B10 2B, Infantryman / 3 years, 3 months, 27 days d. Prior Service / Characterizations: None e. Overseas Service / Combat Service: None f. Awards and Decorations: AGCM, NDSM, GWOTSM, ASR g. Performance Ratings: NA h. Disciplinary Action(s) / Evidentiary Record: Orders 317-0615, dated 13 November 2015, reflects the applicant was order to report to the transition point on 6 January 2016. The date of his release from active duty unless / changed or rescinded: 6 January 2016. The applicant was transferred to the USAR Control Group (REINF) with a Terminal date of Reserve obligation of 22 March 2020, and was assigned a separation code of: LGH. i. Lost Time / Mode of Return: None j. Diagnosed PTSD / TBI / Behavioral Health: None 5. APPLICANT-PROVIDED EVIDENCE: DD Form 149; DD Form 214; extract of AR 635-200; Orders 317-0615; Enlisted Record Brief. 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 3, paragraph 3-7, establishes the types of administrative discharges/character of service. An honorable discharge is a separation with honor. The honorable characterization is appropriate when the quality of the Soldier's service generally has met the standards of acceptable conduct and performance of duty for Army personnel or is otherwise so meritorious that any other characterization would be clearly inappropriate. Only the honorable characterization may be awarded a Soldier upon completion of his/her period of enlistment or period for which called or ordered to AD or ADT or where required under specific reasons for separation, unless an entry-level status separation (uncharacterized) is warranted. Chapter 4, establishes the policies and procedures for separating a Soldier upon expiration of enlistment of fulfillment of service obligation. The periods of military service required of all Army Soldiers will be in accordance with applicable laws. Periods for which enlistment is authorized are in NGR 600-200, AR 140-111, and AR 601-210. Periods for which Soldiers are ordered to AD are prescribed by law. Soldier enlisted or ordered to AD normally will be discharged or released from AD on the date he/she completes the period for which enlisted or ordered to AD. Personnel released from AD and transferred to the USAR upon completion of the term of service for which ordered into active Federal service, or released to their Reserve Component upon completion of AD. These Soldiers will not be discharged until completion of their reserve obligation. Paragraph 4-5, states, a Soldier being separated upon expiration of enlistment or fulfillment of service obligation will be awarded a character of service of honorable, unless the Soldier is in entry-level status and service is uncharacterized. 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 "MBK" as the appropriate code to assign enlisted Soldiers who are discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 4, for completion of required active service, who are eligible to reenlist or with a DCSS in force and who are REFRAD on completion of enlistment and transferred to the Reserve Components to complete Military Service obligation. The SPD Code/RE Code Cross Reference Table shows that a Soldier assigned an SPD Code of "MBK" will be assigned an RE Code of 3. 8. DISCUSSION OF FACT(S): The applicant requests a separation 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 consistent with the Army's standards for acceptable personal conduct and performance of duty by military personnel. The evidence of the record reflects that the applicant entered Active Duty on 10 September 2012, for a period of 3 years and 17 weeks. At the time of the applicant's discharge, the applicant had served 3 years, 3 months and 27 days on Active Duty. The applicant's official service record reflects no acts of misconduct or derogatory information. Upon the applicant's separation from Active Duty, he was transferred to the USAR Control Group to serve his remaining service obligation until 22 March 2020. Based on the service record, it appears that someone in the discharge process erroneously entered on the applicant's DD Form 214, block 28, Narrative Reason for Separation as Non Retention on Active Duty. The service record confirms the applicant had completed the period for which he was ordered to Active Duty and then was transferred to the USAR Control Group. Soldiers processed for separation under this provision will be assigned a Narrative Reason for Separation of Completion of Required Active Service. Further, the Soldier will be assigned an SPD Code of MBK and an RE Code of 3. Notwithstanding the administrative errors, based on the available record, the discharge was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of the regulation, was within the discretion of the separation authority and that the applicant was provided full administrative due process. 9. BOARD DETERMINATION: In a records review conducted at Arlington, VA on 21 August 2016, and by a 5-0 vote, the Board determined the narrative reason for the applicant's separation is now improper. Therefore, the Board directed the issue of a new DD Form 214 changing the separation authority to Army Regulation 635-200, Chapter 4, the narrative reason for separation to Completion of Required Active Service, and the separation code to MBK. 10. BOARD ACTION DIRECTED: a. Issue a New DD-214: Yes b. Change Characterization to: No Change c. Change Reason to: Completion of Required Active Service d. Change Authority to: AR 635-200, Chapter 4 e. Change SPD / RE Code to: MBK / 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 AR20190001204 1